Abstract: Various embodiments of an adhesive article and a method of forming such article are disclosed. The adhesive article includes an active pharmaceutical ingredient; a substrate having a first surface and a second surface including a first area and a second area; and a first adhesive layer disposed on the first area of the second surface of the substrate. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is present in the first adhesive layer at a first concentration. The adhesive article also includes a second adhesive layer having a first portion that is in contact with the first adhesive layer and a second portion that is disposed in the second area of the substrate. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is present in the second adhesive layer at a second concentration. The second concentration is less than the first concentration.

Abstract: Coating apparatuses and methods are provided for dispensing coatings with various shapes. The coating apparatus includes a coating die body including a cavity and an opening on a dispensing side thereof. One or more movable components are disposed on the dispensing side of the die body to define at least a portion of a dispensing slot adjacent the opening of the cavity. The one or more movable components are movable with respect to the opening to allow a width of the dispensing slot along a cross direction to be dynamically adjustable.

Abstract: Coating apparatuses and methods are provided for direct coatings with various shapes. The coating apparatus includes a die body with one or more bores. One or more cams are pivotally mounted within the bores and have one or more recessed areas formed into the respective peripheral surfaces thereof. The one or more cams are rotatable within the die body to dynamically, independently vary the width or shape of the respectively dispensed one or more fluid coatings.

Abstract: A powder-rubbing apparatus comprises: a rotatable rubbing roll having a rotational axis; a substrate path; an oscillating mechanism for oscillating the rotatable rubbing roll along the rotational axis; and a powder coating die comprising an inlet port in fluid communication with an outlet port disposed adjacent to the substrate path. The substrate frictionally contacts the rotatable rubbing roll within a rubbing zone. A dispenser for dispensing gas-borne powder is in fluid communication with the inlet port of the powder coating die. The dispenser is aligned such that at least a portion of a gas-borne powder dispensed from the powder coating die is deposited directly onto at least one of the rotatable rubbing roll or the substrate and conveyed into the rubbing zone. A method of using the powder-rubbing apparatus and a powder-rubbed web preparable thereby are also disclosed.

Abstract: Coating apparatuses and methods are provided for direct coatings with various shapes. The coating apparatus includes a die body with one or more bores. One or more cams are pivotally mounted within the bores and have one or more recessed areas formed into the respective peripheral surfaces thereof. The one or more cams are rotatable within the die body to dynamically, independently vary the width or shape of the respectively dispensed one or more fluid coatings.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering a web, including a web path having at least one steering roller and an exit roller, each having a mount; wherein the steering roller(s) each have an axis of rotation and wherein the mounts for the steering roller(s) can pivot those axes with a total of two degrees of freedom. An array comprising a plurality of sensors for monitoring the position of the web is present connected to a controller so as to determine the position and angular orientation of the web. The controller adjusts the pivot(s) of the mount(s) so as to control the angular orientation and the lateral position of the web at a particular point along the web path.

Abstract: Coating apparatuses and methods are provided for dispensing coatings with various shapes. The coating apparatus includes a coating die body including a cavity and an opening on a dispensing side thereof. One or more movable components are disposed on the dispensing side of the die body to define at least a portion of a dispensing slot adjacent the opening of the cavity. The one or more movable components are movable with respect to the opening to allow a width of the dispensing slot along a cross direction to be dynamically adjustable.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a sensing system that provides high-resolution feedback for web guiding and tension control. The system may be especially useful for web material that is manufactured to include micro-replicated structures with micron size scale. A micro-replication station forms a pattern of micro-replicated lenses on a web material. The sensing system illuminates a measurement area on the web material and detects an angular distribution of light exiting a set of the micro-replicated lenses within the first measurement area. A control system that adjusts at least one process control parameter of the transport system based on the detected angular distribution.

Abstract: A viscoelastic adhesive composition is provided, wherein at a dispensing temperature of between 35° C. and 120° C., the viscoelastic adhesive composition can be discretely dispensed and has a tan delta of at least 1 as determined by dynamic mechanical analysis at a frequency of 1 Hz and a complex viscosity of less than 5×103 Pascal-sec at a complex viscosity of less than 5×103Pascal-sec at a frequency of about 10 radians s?1. Such adhesives have been found useful in forming optical assemblies for producing display panels used in a variety of electronic devices.

Abstract: A process including positioning a coating head to define a gap between a first external opening in flow communication with a source of a first coating liquid, and a major surface of a substrate; creating relative motion between the first coating head and the substrate; dispensing a pre-determined quantity of the first coating liquid to form a discrete patch in a predetermined position on the substrate's major surface; positioning a second coating head to define a gap between a second external opening in flow communication with a source of a second coating liquid and a major surface of the patch; creating relative motion between the second coating head and the substrate, and dispensing a pre-determined quantity of the second coating liquid to form a discontinuous pattern on the patch's major surface. The first and optionally the second coating liquids exhibit a viscosity as dispensed of at least 1 Pascal-sec.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering a web, including a web path having at least one steering roller and an exit roller, each having a mount; wherein the steering roller(s) each have an axis of rotation and wherein the mounts for the steering roller(s) can pivot those axes with a total of two degrees of freedom. An array comprising a plurality of sensors for monitoring the position of the web is present connected to a controller so as to determine the position and angular orientation of the web. The controller adjusts the pivot(s) of the mount(s) so as to control the angular orientation and the lateral position of the web at a particular point along the web path.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for steering a web (22), including a web path having at least one steering roller (24) and an exit roller (26), each having a mount; wherein the steering roller(s) (26) each have an axis of rotation and wherein the mounts for the steering roller(s) (26) can pivot those axes with a total of two degrees of freedom. An array (30) comprising a plurality of sensors (30a) for monitoring the position of the web (22) is present connected to a controller so as to determine the position and angular orientation of the web (22). The controller adjusts the pivot(s) of the mount(s) so as to control the angular orientation and the lateral position of the web (22) at a particular point along the web path.

Abstract: A process including providing a coating head having an external opening in flow communication with a source of a first coating liquid, positioning the coating head relative to a substrate to define a gap between the external opening and the substrate, creating relative motion between the coating head and the substrate in a coating direction, and dispensing a predetermined quantity of the first coating liquid from the external opening onto at least a portion of at least one major surface of the substrate to form a discrete patch of the first coating liquid in a predetermined position on at least a portion of the major surface of the substrate. The first coating liquid as dispensed exhibits a viscosity of at least 1 Pascal-sec. In some exemplary embodiments, the first coating liquid is a liquid optically clear adhesive composition used in a laminate including a light emitting or reflecting device component.

Abstract: A method of stencil printing includes printing a layer of non-sag adhesive onto a first substrate, adding topography to the layer of non-sag adhesive, and contacting the layer of non-sag adhesive with a second substrate. The second substrate initially contacts only about 5% or less of exposed surface area of the layer of non-sag adhesive.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a displacement scale comprising TIR prisms on a substrate are described. A system for forming the displacement scale includes one or more rollers having a pattern of total internal reflection (TIR) prism features in negative relief. As the rollers are rotated, the scale is formed on the substrate. The rollers may also include pattern features in negative relief. Rotation of the rollers simultaneously forms the displacement scale and the pattern features on the substrate. The TIR prism features of the displacement scale may be oriented to provide measurement of one or more of lateral displacement, longitudinal displacement and angular displacement.

Abstract: A process including providing a coating head having an external opening in flow communication with a source of a first coating liquid, positioning the coating head relative to a substrate to define a gap between the external opening and the substrate, creating relative motion between the coating head and the substrate in a coating direction, and dispensing a predetermined quantity of the first coating liquid from the external opening onto at least a portion of at least one major surface of the substrate to form a discrete patch of the first coating liquid in a predetermined position on at least a portion of the major surface of the substrate. The first coating liquid as dispensed exhibits a viscosity of at least 1 Pascal-sec. In some exemplary embodiments, the first coating liquid is a liquid optically clear adhesive composition used in a laminate including a light emitting or reflecting device component.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining longitudinal position of an elongated web are described. Sensors are used to detect one or more substantially continuous fiducial marks disposed longitudinally on the web. The sensors generate signals associated with the fiducial marks. A position detector receives the signals and determines a longitudinal position of the web using the sensor signals. The fiducial marks may be periodic fiducial marks, such as sine and/or cosine marks on the web and/or may be piecewise continuous marks. The coarse longitudinal position of the web can be determined based on periodically recurring features of the fiducial marks. The fine longitudinal position can be determined based on continuous portions of the fiducial marks between the periodically recurring features.

Abstract: Approaches for enhancing web position determination involve phase locking a web movement encoder signal to a sensed web fiducial signal. Fiducials disposed along a longitudinal axis of a substrate are sensed and corresponding sensor signals are generated. An estimated web position is provided by one or more encoder signals. The phase difference between the sensor signals and the encoder signals is calculated and the web position error is determined based on the phase difference. The web position error signal can be fed back to adjust the encoder signals which improves the accuracy of the web position determination.

Abstract: A process including positioning a coating head to define a gap between a first external opening in flow communication with a source of a first coating liquid, and a major surface of a substrate; creating relative motion between the first coating head and the substrate; dispensing a pre-determined quantity of the first coating liquid to form a discrete patch in a predetermined position on the substrate's major surface; positioning a second coating head to define a gap between a second external opening in flow communication with a source of a second coating liquid and a major surface of the patch; creating relative motion between the second coating head and the substrate, and dispensing a pre-determined quantity of the second coating liquid to form a discontinuous pattern on the patch's major surface. The first and optionally the second coating liquids exhibit a viscosity as dispensed of at least 1 Pascal-sec.

Abstract: A method of stencil printing includes printing a layer of non-sag adhesive onto a first substrate, adding topography to the layer of non-sag adhesive, and contacting the layer of non-sag adhesive with a second substrate. The second substrate initially contacts only about 5% or less of exposed surface area of the layer of non-sag adhesive.