Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, with a precision of plus or minus about 2%, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least about 2.5 centimeters, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light with less than about 2% combined absorption and diffraction losses of said incident light over a span of wavelengths of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
189 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, with a precision of plus or minus about 2%, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least about 2.5 centimeters, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light with less than about 2% combined absorption and diffraction losses of said incident light over a span of wavelengths of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least about 2.5 centimeters, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light over a span of wavelengths of incident light where the span of wavelengths of said incident light is in the range of about 260 to 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least about 2.5 centimeters, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light over a span of wavelengths of incident light where the span of wavelengths of said incident light is in the range of about 260 to 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light with less than about 3% combined absorption, diffraction and dispersion losses of said incident light where the wavelength span for the average transmission of incident light is in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light with less than about 3% combined absorption, diffraction and dispersion losses of said incident light where the wavelength span for the average transmission of incident light is in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 260 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 260 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit about 99% of incident light at at least one predetermined wavelength of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit about 99% of incident light at at least one predetermined wavelength of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers with a precision of plus or minus about 2%, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit about 99% of incident light at at least one predetermined wavelength of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers with a precision of plus or minus about 2%, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit about 99% of incident light at at least one predetermined wavelength of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least about 2.5 centimeters, said membrane being a pellicle with a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the incident light wavelengths range from about 260 nanometers to about 450 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least about 2.5 centimeters, said membrane being a pellicle with a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the incident light wavelengths range from about 260 nanometers to about 450 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, with a precision of plus or minus about 2%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light over a span of wavelengths of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, with a precision of plus or minus about 2%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light over a span of wavelengths of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 5%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light over a span of wavelengths of said incident light in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 5%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light over a span of wavelengths of said incident light in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 300 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 300 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, and the capacity to transmit about 99% of incident light at at least one predetermined wavelength of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method being comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotatational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, and the capacity to transmit about 99% of incident light at at least one predetermined wavelength of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 1,000 nanometers, said method being comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotatational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers with a precision of plus or minus about 2%, and the capacity to transmit about 99% of incident light at at least one predetermined wavelength of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispening a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface, and spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers with a precision of plus or minus about 2%, and the capacity to transmit about 99% of incident light at at least one predetermined wavelength of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispening a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface, and spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, said membrane being a pellicle with a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the incident light wavelengths range from about 300 nanometers to about 450 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined, precise thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, said membrane being a pellicle with a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the incident light wavelengths range from about 300 nanometers to about 450 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, with a precision of plus or minus about 2%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light with less than about 2% combined absorption and diffraction losses of said incident light in the range of about 350 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, with a precision of plus or minus about 2%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light with less than about 2% combined absorption and diffraction losses of said incident light in the range of about 350 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 5%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light over a span of wavelengths of said incident light is in the range of about 350 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 5%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light over a span of wavelengths of said incident light is in the range of about 350 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light with less than about 3% combined absorption, diffraction and dispersion losses of said incident light where the wavelength span for the average transmission of incident light is in the range of about 350 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, the precision being plus or minus about 2%, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light with less than about 3% combined absorption, diffraction and dispersion losses of said incident light where the wavelength span for the average transmission of incident light is in the range of about 350 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optial membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, and the capacity to transmit about 99% of incident light at at least one predetermined wavelength of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optial membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, and the capacity to transmit about 99% of incident light at at least one predetermined wavelength of incident light in the range of about 260 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least about 2.5 centimers, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light over a span of wavelengths of incident light where the span of wavelengths of said incident light is in the range of about 350 nanometers to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being edge-supported, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a precise, predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness of less than about 2% over a distance of at least about 2.5 centimers, and a capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light over a span of wavelengths of incident light where the span of wavelengths of said incident light is in the range of about 350 nanometers to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation of said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 330 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 330 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 5% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 330 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 5% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 330 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 4% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 330 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 4% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 330 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 3% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 330 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said members from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 3% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 330 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said members from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 2% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 330 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 2% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 330 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 250 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 250 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 5% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 250 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 5% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 250 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 4% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 250 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 4% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 250 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 3% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 250 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 3% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 250 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 2% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 250 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for reliably and reproducibly making an optical membrane capable of being supported at its periphery, and capable of being removed, substantially intact, from the rotatable surface on which said membrane is formed, and having a predetermined thickness in the range of about 0.5 about 10 micrometers, edge-to-edge variations in said thickness in the range of plus or minus about 2% over a distance of at least 2.5 centimeters, and the capacity to transmit an average of at least about 91% of incident light where the wavelengths of incident light range from about 250 to about 546 nanometers, said method comprising dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface; spinning said rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form said membrane from said polymer, said conditions being selected from the following: the viscosity of said polymer/solvent mixture, the rate of rotational acceleration of said rotatable supporting surface, and the final speed of rotation on said surface; and removing said optical membrane, after formation, from said rotatable surface.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 or claim 12 or claim 13 or claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16 or claim 17 or claim 18 further comprising removing said membrane from said rotatable supporting surface, and attaching said membrane to means for providing edge support to said membrane.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 or claim 12 or claim 13 or claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16 or claim 17 or claim 18 further comprising attaching said membrane to means for providing edge support only to said membrane and removing said membrane from said rotatable supporting surface.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
110 words
The method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 or claim 12 or claim 13 or claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16 or claim 17 or claim 18 or claim 19 or claim 20 or claim 21 or claim 22 or claim 23 or claim 24 or claim 25 or claim 26 or claim 27 or claim 28 further comprising attaching said membrane to means for providing edge support to said membrane, and thereafter removing said membrane from said rotatable supporting surface.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
116 words
The method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 or claim 12 or claim 13 or claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16 or claim 17 or claim 18 or claim 19 or claim 20 or claim 21 or claim 22 or claim 23 or claim 24 or claim 25 or claim 26 or claim 27 or claim 28 wherein said membrane is a pellicle, further comprising removing said pellicle from said rotatable supporting surface, and thereafter attaching said pellicle to means for providing edge support to said pellicle.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
116 words
The method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 or claim 12 or claim 13 or claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16 or claim 17 or claim 18 or claim 19 or claim 20 or claim 21 or claim 22 or claim 23 or claim 24 or claim 25 or claim 26 or claim 27 or claim 28 wherein said membrane is a pellicle, further comprising attaching said pellicle to means for providing edge support to said pellicle, and thereafter removing said pellicle from said rotatable supporting surface.