US5547508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum deposition and curing of liquid monomers apparatus
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
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Filing: 1994-11-17
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Granted: 1996-08-20
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Expires: 2014-11-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is the formation of solid polymer layers under vacuum. More specifically, the present invention is the use of "standard" polymer layer-making equipment that is generally used in an atmospheric environment in a vacuum, and degassing the monomer material prior to injection into the vacuum. Additional layers of polymer or metal or oxide may be vacuum deposited onto solid polymer layers. Formation of polymer layers under a vacuum improves material and surface characteristics, and subsequent quality of bonding to additional layers. Further advantages include use of less to no photoinitiator for curing, faster curing, fewer impurities in the polymer electrolyte, as well as improvement in material properties including no trapped gas resulting in greater density, and reduced monomer wetting angle that facilitates spreading of the monomer and provides a smoother finished surface.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Affinito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:26
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05D; B05D5/00; B05D5/06; B05D5/067; B05D5/068; B05D3/00; B05D3/04; B05D3/0493; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus for depositing a liquid monomer as a layer, comprising: (a) a moving substrate, (b) a vacuum chamber placed about said moving substrate, (c) means for degassing the liquid monomer, and (d) means for depositing a first layer including a nozzle for flowing the degassed liquid monomer onto said moving substrate within the vacuum chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus for depositing a liquid monomer as a layer, comprising: (a) a moving substrate, (b) a vacuum chamber placed about said moving substrate, (c) means for degassing the liquid monomer, and (d) means for depositing a first layer including a nozzle for flowing the degassed liquid monomer onto said moving substrate within the vacuum chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: additional means for vacuum depositing metal or for depositing oxide onto said first layer, and a means for depositing further layers of degassed liquid monomer onto said vacuum deposited metal or oxide, together with means for curing the degassed liquid monomer layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a mechanical liquid monomer spreading apparatus within the vacuum chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said mechanical liquid monomer spreading apparatus is selected from the group of roll coaters, wire wound rods, doctor blade coaters, and slotted die coaters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: means for curing, within the vacuum chamber, said liquid monomer and forming a first solid polymer layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: additional means for vacuum depositing a metal or oxide layer onto said first layer within the vacuum chamber.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
72 words
An apparatus for depositing a liquid monomer as a layer, comprising: (a) a moving substrate, (b) a vacuum chamber placed about said moving substrate, (c) means for degassing the liquid monomer, (d) means for depositing a first layer of degassed liquid monomer onto said moving substrate within the vacuum chamber, and (e) a mechanical liquid monomer spreading apparatus within said vacuum chamber for spreading deposited degassed liquid monomer on said moving substrate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
72 words
An apparatus for depositing a liquid monomer as a layer, comprising: (a) a moving substrate, (b) a vacuum chamber placed about said moving substrate, (c) means for degassing the liquid monomer, (d) means for depositing a first layer of degassed liquid monomer onto said moving substrate within the vacuum chamber, and (e) a mechanical liquid monomer spreading apparatus within said vacuum chamber for spreading deposited degassed liquid monomer on said moving substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said mechanical liquid monomer spreading apparatus is selected from the group of roll coaters, wire would rods, doctor blade coaters, and slotted die coaters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising: additional means for vacuum depositing a metal or oxide layer onto said first layer within the vacuum chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising: means for depositing further layers of degassed liquid monomer onto said vacuum deposited metal or oxide, together with means for curing the degassed liquid monomer layers.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for depositing a liquid monomer as a layer, comprising: (a) a moving substrate, (b) a vacuum chamber placed about said moving substrate, (c) means for degassing the liquid monomer, (d) means for depositing a first layer including a nozzle for flowing the degassed liquid monomer onto said moving substrate within the vacuum chamber, and (e) a means for vacuum depositing a metal or oxide layer onto said monomer layer.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for depositing a liquid monomer as a layer, comprising: (a) a moving substrate, (b) a vacuum chamber placed about said moving substrate, (c) means for degassing the liquid monomer, (d) means for depositing a first layer including a nozzle for flowing the degassed liquid monomer onto said moving substrate within the vacuum chamber, and (e) a means for vacuum depositing a metal or oxide layer onto said monomer layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising a mechanical liquid monomer spreading apparatus within the vacuum chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said mechanical liquid monomer spreading apparatus is selected from the group of roll coaters, wire wound rods, doctor blade coaters, and slotted die coaters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising: means for depositing further layers of degassed liquid monomer onto said vacuum deposited metal or oxide, together with means for curing the degassed liquid monomer layers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-20 | 2000-02-19 | 2000-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-20 | 2004-02-19 | 2004-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-20 | 2008-02-19 | 2008-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |