US5316800A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spraying of liquids
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
•
Filing: 1991-08-09
•
Granted: 1994-05-31
•
Expires: 2011-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A coating is applied to a substrate by conveying the substrate past a number of liquid spraying nozzles (32) to which high voltage is applied to produce spray in the form of liquid ligaments which deposit as such, or in the form of droplets, on the substrate to form generally parallel tracks which merge with each other to produce a substantially uniform thickness coating. The nozzles (32) are operable in two modes: a normal spraying mode and a deflect mode in which the ligaments are deflected away from the substrate and towards a collector electrode (34). Operation of the nozzles (32) may be co-ordinated so that different formulations are deposited as separate panels in succession lengthwise of the substrate. The coating system is particularly suitable for coating multicoloured dyesheets for use in thermal transfer printing.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothey J. Noakes
- 👤 Ian D. Pavey
- 👤 Christopher S. Jeffs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:42
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B12/00; B05B12/02; B05B12/04; B05B5/00; B05B5/08; B05B5/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of coating a substrate, comprising: supplying an extended nozzle with liquid to form a continuous film of liquid lengthwise of the extended nozzle; moving the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another in a direction other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; generating from the nozzle, by means of the application of a high electrical potential, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid which are simultaneously drawn out from the nozzle by preponderantly electrostatic forces; and directing the ligaments towards the substrate so that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of coating a substrate, comprising: supplying an extended nozzle with liquid to form a continuous film of liquid lengthwise of the extended nozzle; moving the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another in a direction other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; generating from the nozzle, by means of the application of a high electrical potential, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid which are simultaneously drawn out from the nozzle by preponderantly electrostatic forces; and directing the ligaments towards the substrate so that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of coating a substrate, comprising: supplying an extended nozzle with liquid to form a continuous film of liquid lengthwise of the extended nozzle; moving the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another in a direction other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; generating from the nozzle, by means of the application of a high electrical potential, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid which are simultaneously drawn out from the nozzle by preponderantly electrostatic forces; and directing the ligaments towards the substrate so that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; wherein deposition of the ligaments and/or droplets on the substrate is interrupted periodically to produce a series of coated sections on the substrate which are spaced apart in the direction of movement of the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of coating a substrate, comprising: supplying an extended nozzle with liquid to form a continuous film of liquid lengthwise of the extended nozzle; moving the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another in a direction other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; generating from the nozzle, by means of the application of a high electrical potential, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid which are simultaneously drawn out from the nozzle by preponderantly electrostatic forces; and directing the ligaments towards the substrate so that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; wherein deposition of the ligaments and/or droplets on the substrate is interrupted periodically to produce a series of coated sections on the substrate which are spaced apart in the direction of movement of the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the deposition of the ligaments on the substrate is periodically interrupted without interrupting supply of liquid to the nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the generation of the ligaments is such that the liquid flow rate associated with each ligament is substantially the same for substantially all of the ligaments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the substrate is fed along a feed path which traverses a number of spraying stations at each of which is passes a nozzle and conductor arrangement as claimed hereinabove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which a plurality of said nozzles are provided, each being arranged to deposit said ligaments or streams of droplets generated thereby on to the substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the nozzles are arranged to deposit liquid on to different sections of the substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which at least some of the nozzles are arranged to deposit liquid on to the same sections of the substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the nozzles which deposit liquid on to the same section of the substrate are arranged so that the ligaments/droplets deposited by one nozzle are interleaved with those deposited by the other nozzle or nozzles.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of coating a substrate, comprising: supplying an extended nozzle with liquid to form a continuous film of liquid lengthwise of the extended nozzle; moving the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another in a direction other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; generating from the nozzle, by means of the application of a high electrical potential, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid which are simultaneously drawn out from the nozzle by preponderantly electrostatic forces; directing the ligaments towards the substrate so that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as such and/or in droplet form; and periodically interrupting deposition of the ligaments and/or droplets on the substrate by electrostatically deflecting the ligaments in a direction away from the substrate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of coating a substrate, comprising: supplying an extended nozzle with liquid to form a continuous film of liquid lengthwise of the extended nozzle; moving the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another in a direction other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; generating from the nozzle, by means of the application of a high electrical potential, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid which are simultaneously drawn out from the nozzle by preponderantly electrostatic forces; directing the ligaments towards the substrate so that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as such and/or in droplet form; and periodically interrupting deposition of the ligaments and/or droplets on the substrate by electrostatically deflecting the ligaments in a direction away from the substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 in which the ligaments deposit on the substrate in discrete zones as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; deposition of said ligaments/droplets on to the substrate is interrupted by deflecting the ligaments away from the substrate and towards an auxiliary target means; coating of the substrate with liquid from the nozzle is subsequently resumed; and liquid accumulating on the auxiliary target means is removed while continuing generation of said liquid ligaments from the nozzle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 in which the substrate is fed along a feed path which traverses a number of spraying stations at each of which it passes a nozzle and conductor arrangement as claimed hereinabove.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 in which a plurality of said nozzles are provided, each being arranged to deposit said ligaments or streams of droplets generated thereby on to the substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 in which the nozzles are arranged to deposit liquid on to different sections of the substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 in which a plurality of different liquid formulations are provided and each formulation is deposited by a respective nozzle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 in which at least some of the nozzles are arranged to deposit liquid on to the same sections of the substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 16 in which those nozzles which deposit liquid on to the same section of the substrate are arranged so that the ligaments/droplets deposited by one nozzle are interleaved with those deposited by the other nozzle or nozzles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for coating a substrate, said apparatus comprising: an extended nozzle; means for supplying liquid to the nozzle so that, in use, a continuous film of liquid is formed lengthwise of the extended nozzle; means for effecting relative movement between the nozzle and a substrate to be coated in a direction which is other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; high voltage circuit means for simultaneously drawing out, by preponderantly electrostatic forces, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid from said continuous liquid film; and means locating the nozzle relative to the substrate in such a way that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for coating a substrate, said apparatus comprising: an extended nozzle; means for supplying liquid to the nozzle so that, in use, a continuous film of liquid is formed lengthwise of the extended nozzle; means for effecting relative movement between the nozzle and a substrate to be coated in a direction which is other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; high voltage circuit means for simultaneously drawing out, by preponderantly electrostatic forces, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid from said continuous liquid film; and means locating the nozzle relative to the substrate in such a way that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 including means for securing generation of the ligaments in such a way that the liquid flow rate associated with each ligament is substantially the same for substantially all of the ligaments.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for coating a substrate, said apparatus comprising: an extended nozzle; means for supplying liquid to the nozzle so that, in use, a continuous film of liquid is formed lengthwise of the extended nozzle; means for effecting relative movement between the nozzle and a substrate to be coated in a direction which is other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; high voltage circuit means for simultaneously drawing out, by preponderantly electrostatic forces, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid from said continuous liquid film; means for locating the nozzle relative to the substrate in such a way that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; and means for periodically interrupting deposition of said ligaments and/or droplets on the substrate to produce a series of coated sections on the substrate which are spaced apart in the direction of relative movement.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for coating a substrate, said apparatus comprising: an extended nozzle; means for supplying liquid to the nozzle so that, in use, a continuous film of liquid is formed lengthwise of the extended nozzle; means for effecting relative movement between the nozzle and a substrate to be coated in a direction which is other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; high voltage circuit means for simultaneously drawing out, by preponderantly electrostatic forces, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid from said continuous liquid film; means for locating the nozzle relative to the substrate in such a way that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; and means for periodically interrupting deposition of said ligaments and/or droplets on the substrate to produce a series of coated sections on the substrate which are spaced apart in the direction of relative movement.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for coating a substrate, said apparatus comprising: an extended nozzle; means for supplying liquid to the nozzle so that, in use, a continuous film of liquid is formed lengthwise of the extended nozzle; means for effecting relative movement between the nozzle and a substrate to be coated in a direction which is other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; high voltage circuit means for simultaneously drawing out, by preponderantly electrostatic forces, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid from said continuous liquid film; means for locating the nozzle relative to the substrate in such a way that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; and means for periodically interrupting deposition of the ligaments on the substrate and in which said liquid supply means supplies the liquid to the nozzle continuously.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for coating a substrate, said apparatus comprising: an extended nozzle; means for supplying liquid to the nozzle so that, in use, a continuous film of liquid is formed lengthwise of the extended nozzle; means for effecting relative movement between the nozzle and a substrate to be coated in a direction which is other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; high voltage circuit means for simultaneously drawing out, by preponderantly electrostatic forces, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid from said continuous liquid film; means for locating the nozzle relative to the substrate in such a way that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; and means for periodically interrupting deposition of the ligaments on the substrate and in which said liquid supply means supplies the liquid to the nozzle continuously.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claimed in claim 20 or claim 21 including means for securing generation of the ligaments in such a way that the liquid flow rate associated with each ligament is substantially the same for substantially all of the ligaments.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for coating a substrate, said apparatus comprising: an extended nozzle; means for supplying liquid to the nozzle so that, in use, a continuous film of liquid is formed lengthwise of the extended nozzle; means for effecting relative movement between the nozzle and a substrate to be coated in a direction which is other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; high voltage circuit means for simultaneously drawing out by preponderantly electrostatic forces a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid from said continuous liquid film; means locating the nozzle relative to the substrate in such a way that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as such and/or in droplet form; and means for periodically interrupting deposition of said ligaments and/or droplets on the substrate by electrostatically deflecting the ligaments and/or droplets in a direction away from the substrate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for coating a substrate, said apparatus comprising: an extended nozzle; means for supplying liquid to the nozzle so that, in use, a continuous film of liquid is formed lengthwise of the extended nozzle; means for effecting relative movement between the nozzle and a substrate to be coated in a direction which is other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; high voltage circuit means for simultaneously drawing out by preponderantly electrostatic forces a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid from said continuous liquid film; means locating the nozzle relative to the substrate in such a way that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as such and/or in droplet form; and means for periodically interrupting deposition of said ligaments and/or droplets on the substrate by electrostatically deflecting the ligaments and/or droplets in a direction away from the substrate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 further comprising auxiliary target means; means operable periodically to deflect the ligaments away from the substrate and towards the auxiliary target means and thereby interrupt deposition of said ligaments/droplets on to the substrate; and means for removing liquid accumulating on the auxiliary target means while continuing generation of said liquid ligaments from the nozzle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 including means for recycling at least part of the liquid removed from the auxiliary target means to the nozzle.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which a plurality of said nozzles are provided, each being arranged to deposit said ligaments or streams of droplets generated thereby on to different sections of the substrate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 in which a plurality of different liquid formulations are provided and each formulation is deposited by a respective nozzle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 including a plurality of nozzles at least some of which are arranged to deposit liquid on to the same sections of the substrate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 28 in which those nozzles which deposit liquid on to the same section of the substrate are arranged so that the ligaments/droplets deposited by one nozzle are interleaved with those deposited by the other nozzle or nozzles.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of coating a substrate, comprising: supplying an extended nozzle with liquid to form a continuous film of liquid lengthwise of the extended nozzle; moving the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another in a direction other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; generating from the nozzle, by means of the application of a high electrical potential, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid which are simultaneously drawn out from the nozzle by preponderantly electrostatic forces; and directing the ligaments towards the substrate so that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; wherein deposition of the ligaments on the substrate is periodically interrupted without interrupting supply of liquid to the nozzle.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of coating a substrate, comprising: supplying an extended nozzle with liquid to form a continuous film of liquid lengthwise of the extended nozzle; moving the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another in a direction other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; generating from the nozzle, by means of the application of a high electrical potential, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid which are simultaneously drawn out from the nozzle by preponderantly electrostatic forces; and directing the ligaments towards the substrate so that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; wherein deposition of the ligaments on the substrate is periodically interrupted without interrupting supply of liquid to the nozzle.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claims 2, 3, or 25 in which the generation of the ligaments is such that the liquid flow rate associated with each ligament is substantially the same for substantially all of the ligaments.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of coating a substrate, comprising: supplying an extended nozzle with liquid to form a continuous film of liquid lengthwise of the extended nozzle; moving the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another in a direction other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; generating from the nozzle, by means of the application of a high electrical potential, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid which are simultaneously drawn out from the nozzle by preponderantly electrostatic forces; and directing the ligaments towards the substrate so that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; wherein a plurality of said nozzles are provided, each being arranged to deposit said ligaments or streams of droplets generated thereby on to the substrate; and wherein a plurality of different liquid formulations are provided and each formulation is deposited by a respective nozzle.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of coating a substrate, comprising: supplying an extended nozzle with liquid to form a continuous film of liquid lengthwise of the extended nozzle; moving the substrate and the nozzle relative to one another in a direction other than parallel to the direction of nozzle extension; generating from the nozzle, by means of the application of a high electrical potential, a plurality of generally parallel ligaments of liquid which are simultaneously drawn out from the nozzle by preponderantly electrostatic forces; and directing the ligaments towards the substrate so that the ligaments deposit on the substrate as generally parallel ligaments and/or in the form of generally parallel streams of droplets (derived from breaking up of the ligaments) and thereafter merge to form a coating on the substrate surface; wherein a plurality of said nozzles are provided, each being arranged to deposit said ligaments or streams of droplets generated thereby on to the substrate; and wherein a plurality of different liquid formulations are provided and each formulation is deposited by a respective nozzle.
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) | 1997-05-30 | 1997-11-29 | 1998-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-30 | 2001-11-29 | 2002-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-30 | 2005-11-29 | 2006-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |