US6531206B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microstructured surface film assembly for liquid acquisition and transport
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 2001-02-07
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Granted: 2003-03-11
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Expires: 2021-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A film or tape has one of its major surfaces defined by microstructured features including a plurality of channels defined by spaced apart protrusions. The microstructured film is able to acquire liquids and to control the directional transport of such liquids for subsequent removal therefrom. The transport can be passive or active (i.e., caused or enhanced by an applied potential). The inventive microstructured films and tapes have applications in laminate floor assemblies (for spill removal) and industrial articles such as computer keyboards and other devices and assemblies that benefit from fluid removal. The invention also has application in evaporative and condensation applications. In one embodiment, at least one cross-channel is formed on the microstructured surface to join adjacent channels for liquid flow therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond P. Johnston
- 👤 Sara B. Mortenson
- 👤 Douglas A. Huntley
- 👤 Stephanie B. Castiglione
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:52
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F17/00; F28F17/005; A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/537; A61F13/53708; B; B01; B01D; B01D1/00; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; B32B3/26; B32B3/30; E; E04; E04F; E04F15/00; E04F15/02; E04F15/02161; E04F15/10; F28D; F28D5/00; F28F13/00; F28F13/18; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/002; A41D13/005; A41D13/0053; A41D13/0056; A61F2013/53765; A61F2013/53778; A61F2013/53782; B82; B82Y; B82Y30/00; F28F2245/00; F28F2245/02; F28F2245/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1039; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1062; Y10T156/1064; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23907; Y10T428/23979; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24562; Y10T428/2457; Y10T428/24587; Y10T428/24612; Y10T428/24744
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A laminate floor assembly comprising: a liquid control layer having a top side and a bottom side, the top side having a microstructure-bearing surface with a plurality of channels thereon that facilitate directional flow control of a liquid disposed thereon; a floor substrate layer; means for attaching the bottom side of the liquid control layer to the floor substrate layer; a cap layer having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side of the cap layer being placed over the top side of the liquid control layer to define a relatively enclosed channel structure therebetween; and means for moving liquid along the channel structure defined between the top side of the liquid control layer and the bottom side of the cap layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A laminate floor assembly comprising: a liquid control layer having a top side and a bottom side, the top side having a microstructure-bearing surface with a plurality of channels thereon that facilitate directional flow control of a liquid disposed thereon; a floor substrate layer; means for attaching the bottom side of the liquid control layer to the floor substrate layer; a cap layer having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side of the cap layer being placed over the top side of the liquid control layer to define a relatively enclosed channel structure therebetween; and means for moving liquid along the channel structure defined between the top side of the liquid control layer and the bottom side of the cap layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the channels have first and second channel ends, and wherein the moving means withdraws the liquid from the channels adjacent the first channel end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 2 wherein the moving means creates a potential which causes the liquid to move toward the first channel end for withdrawal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cap layer comprises: a floor covering.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 4 wherein the floor covering is selected from the group consisting of carpet, tile, linoleum, wood, concrete, metal or fatigue matting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the channels are defined by generally parallel ridges including a first set of ridges having a first height and a second set of ridges having a second, taller height.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 6 wherein an upper portion of each ridge of the second set of ridges has a lower melting temperature than a lower portion thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the liquid control layer is a polymeric film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the microstructure-bearing surface of the liquid control layer has a characteristic-altering coating thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 8 wherein the polymeric film includes a characteristic altering additive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 10 wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of flame retardants, hydrophobics, hydrophylics, antimicrobial agents, inorganics, metallic particles, glass fibers, fillers, clays and nanoparticles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the channels have a pattern geometry selected from the group consisting of linear, curvilinear, radial, parallel, non-parallel, random, or intersecting.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the cap layer is porous.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 13 wherein the cap layer is a non-woven.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the bottom side of the cap layer is affixed to the top side of the liquid control layer by a pressure sensitive adhesive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the attaching means is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the moving means creates a pressure gradient along the channel structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the top side of the liquid control layer has at least one cross-channel formed therein to facilitate liquid flow between the channels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 18 wherein the liquid control layer has a liquid removal aperture therethrough which is in communication with the cross-channel and the moving means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the top side of the liquid control layer has a plurality of cross-channels formed therein to facilitate liquid flow between the channels, and wherein the liquid control layer has a plurality of liquid removal apertures therethrough with each liquid moving aperture being in communication with one of the cross-channels and the moving means.
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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) | 2006-03-10 | 2006-09-09 | 2007-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-10 | 2010-09-09 | 2011-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-10 | 2014-09-09 | 2015-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |