US5166000A — Method of applying thin films of amphiphilic mole…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of applying a thin film to a substrate surface comprising the steps of providing film forming amphiphilic molecules capable of self-assembly on a substrate surface into a substantially continuous thin film, dispersing said molecules in water to form a mixture, atomizing said mixture to form a mist of droplets, depositing said droplets on a substrate surface to completely cover the substrate surface with a coating of said mixture, allowing said molecules in said coating to self-assemble on said substrate surface into a substantially continuous thin film, and evaporating the water from said coating.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of applying a thin film to a substrate surface comprising the steps of providing film forming amphiphilic molecules capable of self-assembly on a substrate surface into a substantially continuous thin film, dispersing said molecules in water to form a mixture, atomizing said mixture to form a mist of droplets, depositing said droplets on a substrate surface to completely cover the substrate surface with a coating of said mixture, allowing said molecules in said coating to self-assemble on said substrate surface into a substantially continuous thin film, and evaporating the water from said coating.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1 including the step of mixing a catalyst with said film forming amphiphilic molecules and water.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing film forming amphiphilic molecules is carried out by providing a solution of film forming amphiphilic molecules dispersed in a solvent that is miscible with water, said step of dispersing film forming amphiphilic molecules in water being carried out by mixing said solution with water.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing film forming amphiphilic molecules is carried out by providing a solution of film forming amphiphilic molecules dispersed in a solvent that is immiscible with water, said step of dispersing film forming amphiphilic molecules in water being carried out by mixing said solution with water.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of dispersing film forming amphiphilic molecules in water is carried out to provide said mixture with between about 0.1-1.0% by volume of film forming amphiphilic molecules.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of atomizing is carried out by feeding said mixture through an ultrasonic atomizing nozzle.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of depositing said droplets on a substrate surface is carried out by conveying the substrate through said mist.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 1 including the step of heating said substrate surface to a temperature between about 100°-200° C. prior to said step of depositing droplets thereon.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 47 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing film forming amphiphilic molecules is carried out by providing film forming amphiphilic molecules that are capable of self-assembly on a substrate surface into a substantially continuous thin film that is not more than about 500 nanometers thick.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing film forming amphiphilic molecules is carried out by providing polymerizable amphiphilic molecules and further including the step of polymerizing said molecules in said film on said substrate surface.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of dispersing said molecules in water is carried out by dispersing said molecules in water containing a catalyst that catalyzes a chemical reaction between said molecules and said substrate surface.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 11 wherein said step of dispersing said molecules in water containing a catalyst is carried out to provide said mixture with up to about 1% by volume of catalyst.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 68 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate surface is glass, ceramic or porcelain having hydroxy groups thereon and said molecules include functional groups, said step of allowing said molecules to self-assemble on said surface being carried out to provide a chemical reaction between said hydroxy groups and said functional groups so that said molecules in said film are bonded to said surface by a covalent chemical bond.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

A substrate surface having a film applied thereto by the method of claim 1.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

A glass, ceramic or porcelain surface having film applied thereto by the method of claim 1.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 15 words

Cookware having a surface with a film applied thereto by the method of claim 1.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 14 words

The cookware of claim 16 wherein the cookware surface is glass, ceramic or porcelain.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 1 where said film forming amphiphilic molecules consist of CF 3 --(CF 2 ) n --CH 2 CH 2 --Si--(OCH 2 H 5 ) 3 , where n is from 7 through 15.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 1 where said film forming amphiphilic molecules consist of CF 3 --(CF 2 ) n --(CH 2 ) m --O--(CH 2 ) 3 -- Si--(OC 2 H 5 ) 3 , where n and m are from 5 through 11.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 90 words

A method of applying a thin film to a substrate surface comprising the steps of providing film forming amphiphilic molecules that are capable of self-assembly into a substantially continuous thin film, dispersing said molecules in water to form a mixture, applying said mixture to a substrate surface within 60 seconds subsequent to said step of dispersing to provide a coating of said mixture on said surface, allowing said molecules in said coating to self-assemble on said surface into a substantially continuous thin film, and evaporating the water from said coating.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 90 words

A method of applying a thin film to a substrate surface comprising the steps of providing film forming amphiphilic molecules that are capable of self-assembly into a substantially continuous thin film, dispersing said molecules in water to form a mixture, applying said mixture to a substrate surface within 60 seconds subsequent to said step of dispersing to provide a coating of said mixture on said surface, allowing said molecules in said coating to self-assemble on said surface into a substantially continuous thin film, and evaporating the water from said coating.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method of claim 20 wherein said step of providing film forming amphiphilic molecules is carried out by providing a solution of film forming amphiphilic molecules that are dispersed in a solvent that is miscible in water, said step of dispersing said molecules in water being carried out by mixing said solution with water.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 20 wherein said step of providing film forming amphiphilic molecules is carried out by providing polymerizable amphiphilic molecules, and further including the step of polymerizing said molecules in said film on said substrate surface.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 20 including the step of heating said substrate surface to a temperature between about 100°-200° C. before said step of applying said mixture thereto.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method of claim 20 wherein said surface is glass, ceramic or porcelain having hydroxy groups and said molecules have functional groups, and further including the step of allowing said hydroxy groups and said functional groups to chemically react to provide a covalent chemical bond between the molecules in said film and said surface.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 14 words

A substrate surface having a film applied thereto by the method of claim 20.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 14 words

The substrate surface of claim 25 wherein said surface is glass, ceramic or porcelain.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 117 words

A method of applying a thin film to a substrate surface comprising the steps of providing a mixture of water and film forming amphiphilic molecules that are capable of self-assembly on a substrate surface into a substantially continuous thin film, said mixture containing substantially more water than film forming amphiphilic molecules, heating a substrate surface to a temperature for evaporating water deposited thereon within about 30-180 seconds, completely covering said heated substrate surface with a coating of said mixture, allowing said molecules in said coating to self-assemble on said substrate surface into a substantially continuous thin film while simultaneously allowing the water to evaporate from said coating to leave only said thin film on said substrate surface.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 117 words

A method of applying a thin film to a substrate surface comprising the steps of providing a mixture of water and film forming amphiphilic molecules that are capable of self-assembly on a substrate surface into a substantially continuous thin film, said mixture containing substantially more water than film forming amphiphilic molecules, heating a substrate surface to a temperature for evaporating water deposited thereon within about 30-180 seconds, completely covering said heated substrate surface with a coating of said mixture, allowing said molecules in said coating to self-assemble on said substrate surface into a substantially continuous thin film while simultaneously allowing the water to evaporate from said coating to leave only said thin film on said substrate surface.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 35 words

A method of dispersing film forming amphiphilic molecules in water comprising the steps of separately feeding film forming amphiphilic molecules and water to an ultrasonic atomizing nozzle to emulsify and atomize the molecules and water.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 35 words

A method of dispersing film forming amphiphilic molecules in water comprising the steps of separately feeding film forming amphiphilic molecules and water to an ultrasonic atomizing nozzle to emulsify and atomize the molecules and water.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 28 including the step of metering the film forming amphiphilic molecules and water to provide a mixture containing between about 0.1-1% by volume of amphiphilic molecules.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 29 wherein said step of feeding film forming amphiphilic molecules is carried out by feeding a solution that comprises film forming amphiphilic molecules dispersed in a solvent that is miscible in water.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-11-24	1996-05-25	1996-11-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-11-24	2000-05-25	2000-11-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-11-24	2004-05-25	2004-11-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method of applying thin films of amphiphilic molecules to substrates

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