Abstract: A laminating machine and process for applying an optically clear adhesive film to a glass substrate includes a porous belt assembly with a plurality of vacuum pumps. The vacuum pumps define different, separately adjustable vacuum zones on the surface of the porous belt. The porous belt is driven linearly so that an optically clear adhesive does not move relative to the porous belt, but does move relative to the table, allowing the adhesive to be controlled to a compressive, neutral, or tensile state while being nip-rolled to the substrate. Since there is no motion of the film relative to the belt, scratching, stretch elongation, dimensional errors, and other slip induced damage is eliminated.

Abstract: A high-speed lamination machine includes a hinged, clamshell lid, and clamped lamination chamber that uses localized and thermally isolated heating and stepper driven separation pin motion. Pneumatically actuated rollers in a track clamp the lamination chamber closed during operation. The clamshell design obviates the need for a hydraulic press and makes the lamination chamber easily accessible to other automated systems, so robots may be used to place lamination elements within the chamber.

Abstract: A laminating machine includes UV curing elements within the process chamber to cure a UV curable adhesive in a laminating stack while being heated in an autoclave. In an automated process, the laminating machine applies pressure to the stack for pressure sensitive adhesion, then autoclave heating and simultaneous UV curing. The UV curing elements are disposed in the body of the process chamber, the lid of the process chamber, or a separate appliance. The appliance can be releasably attached to the process chamber body or lid. The laminating machine is programmed for specific autoclave and UV exposure profiles specific to the UV curable adhesives being used.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated optically clear adhesive (OCA) assembly includes providing a first OCA component having a first thickness; providing a second OCA component having a second thickness; and laminating the first OCA component and the second OCA component using a roll to roll lamination process to form the laminated OCA assembly. The first OCA component and the second OCA component are laminated together at a nip roller assembly, the nip roller assembly using a nip roller pressure selected based on the total thickness of the first and second OCA components such that the nip roller pressure decreases as the total thickness of the first and second OCA components increases.

Abstract: A high-speed lamination machine includes a hinged, clamshell lid, and clamped lamination chamber that uses localized and thermally isolated heating and stepper driven separation pin motion. Pneumatically actuated rollers in a track clamp the lamination chamber closed during operation. The clamshell design obviates the need for a hydraulic press and makes the lamination chamber easily accessible to other automated systems, so robots may be used to place lamination elements within the chamber.

Abstract: A laminating machine and process for applying an optically clear adhesive film to a glass substrate includes a porous belt assembly with a plurality of vacuum pumps. The vacuum pumps define different, separately adjustable vacuum zones on the surface of the porous belt. The porous belt is driven linearly so that an optically clear adhesive does not move relative to the porous belt, but does move relative to the table, allowing the adhesive to be controlled to a compressive, neutral, or tensile state while being nip-rolled to the substrate. Since there is no motion of the film relative to the belt, scratching, stretch elongation, dimensional errors, and other slip induced damage is eliminated.

Abstract: A laminating machine includes UV curing elements within the process chamber to cure a UV curable adhesive in a laminating stack while being heated in an autoclave. In an automated process, the laminating machine applies pressure to the stack for pressure sensitive adhesion, then autoclave heating and simultaneous UV curing. The UV curing elements are disposed in the body of the process chamber, the lid of the process chamber, or a separate appliance. The appliance can be releasably attached to the process chamber body or lid. The laminating machine is programmed for specific autoclave and UV exposure profiles specific to the UV curable adhesives being used.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated optically clear adhesive (OCA) assembly includes providing a first OCA component having a first thickness; providing a second OCA component having a second thickness; and laminating the first OCA component and the second OCA component using a roll to roll lamination process to form the laminated OCA assembly. The first OCA component and the second OCA component are laminated together at a nip roller assembly, the nip roller assembly using a nip roller pressure selected based on the total thickness of the first and second OCA components such that the nip roller pressure decreases as the total thickness of the first and second OCA components increases.

Abstract: A system and related method for force-sensitive emissive display incorporates a force sensing device, such as a force-sensitive resistor or frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) assembly, bonded to a flexible film/film resistive touch sensor and an emissive display surface. The film/film resistive touch sensor may detect contact with the display surface and transmit the detected contact to the force sensing device, which determines a magnitude or degree of touch force associated with the detected contact. A display controller of the force-sensitive emissive display system may adjust the displayed content, or execute other responsive actions, based on the detected touch force as well as the position of the contact relative to the display surface, as determined by the film/film resistive touch sensor or by the force sensing device.

Abstract: A system and related method for force-sensitive emissive display incorporates a force sensing device, such as a force-sensitive resistor or frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) assembly, bonded to a flexible film/film resistive touch sensor and an emissive display surface. The film/film resistive touch sensor may detect contact with the display surface and transmit the detected contact to the force sensing device, which determines a magnitude or degree of touch force associated with the detected contact. A display controller of the force-sensitive emissive display system may adjust the displayed content, or execute other responsive actions, based on the detected touch force as well as the position of the contact relative to the display surface, as determined by the film/film resistive touch sensor or by the force sensing device.

Abstract: A lamination system for laminating substrates includes a lamination device including an upper member defining an upper cavity and a lower member defining a lower cavity; a pressurization system in communication with the upper cavity and the lower cavity; and a control unit coupled to the lamination device and the pressurization system, the control unit configured to control operation of the lamination device and the pressurization system to generate a vacuum environment within the lower cavity; bring a first substrate into contact with a second substrate; pressurize the upper cavity to a first pressure to move the flexible membrane into contact with the first substrate; move the flexible membrane out of contact with the first substrate; and pressurize the lower cavity to a second pressure higher than the first pressure to apply air pressure at the second pressure to the first and second substrates and form a laminated assembly.

Abstract: A method for laminating substrates to form a laminated assembly includes positioning a first substrate and a second substrate within a lamination device having a first cavity and a second cavity; pressurizing the first cavity to a first pressure to move a flexible member into contact with one of the first and second substrate; depressurizing the first cavity to move the flexible member out of contact with the one of the first and second substrate; and pressurizing a second cavity to a second pressure higher than the first pressure to apply air pressure at the second pressure to the first and second substrate to form a laminated assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for performing a planarization treatment of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). The process includes positioning a first substrate onto a support surface of a planarization tool. The process further includes placing at least one layer of PSA onto the first substrate. The process further includes positioning a second substrate onto the layer(s) of PSA. The process further includes applying a pressure to the second substrate via a flexible membrane, said pressure being applied in a generally uniform, unidirectional and localized manner. Further, the applied pressure flattens the PSA between the first substrate and the second substrate for promoting suitability of the PSA for use in rigid-to-rigid lamination processes.

Abstract: A flexible assembly is configured to be removably applied to a curved or planar surface of an underlying component. The assembly includes a flexible glass layer and an adhesive layer provided on at least one surface of the flexible glass layer. The flexible glass layer and the adhesive layer in combination enable the flexible assembly to be removably secured to the curved or planar surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a substrate lamination system and method. A substrate lamination apparatus may comprise: (a) a vacuum chamber; (b) a flexible membrane; and (c) a substrate support. A system for laminating substrates may comprise: (a) a vacuum chamber; (b) a flexible membrane; (c) a substrate support; (d) a vacuum pump; (e) a compressor; and (f) a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to carry out the steps: (i) evacuating the vacuum chamber; and (ii) applying pressure to at least one of a first substrate and a second substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for performing rigid-to-rigid substrate lamination implementing pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). The process may include pressurizing a first sealed cavity to a first pressure. The process may further include creating a vacuum within a second sealed cavity, the second sealed cavity being sealed from the first sealed cavity by a flexible membrane. The process may further include applying the first pressure to a laminate assembly stack via the flexible membrane, the laminate assembly stack including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a PSA layer, the PSA layer being positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate. The process may further include applying the vacuum created within the second sealed cavity to the laminate assembly stack. The applied first pressure and the applied vacuum promote intimate contact between the first substrate and the second substrate of the laminate assembly stack via the PSA layer.

Abstract: A touch panel system and process are disclosed. A touch panel system may include: a touch panel; and a deformable glass substrate. A process for manufacturing a touch panel system may include one or more of the following: coupling a deformable glass substrate to a touch panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a substrate lamination system and method. A method for laminating substrates may comprise: (a) disposing a pressure-sensitive adhesive later between a substantially planar surface of a first substrate and a substantially planar surface of a second substrate; (b) disposing the first substrate, pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and second substrate within a vacuum chamber; (c) evacuating the vacuum chamber; (d) applying pressure to at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. A system for laminating substrates may comprise: (a) means for disposing a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer between a substantially planar surface of a first substrate and a substantially planar surface of a second substrate; (b) means for disposing the first substrate, pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and second substrate within a vacuum chamber; (c) means for evacuating the vacuum chamber; (d) means for applying pressure to at least one of the first and second substrates.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for performing a planarization treatment of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). The process includes positioning a first substrate onto a support surface of a planarization tool. The process further includes placing at least one layer of PSA onto the first substrate. The process further includes positioning a second substrate onto the layer(s) of PSA. The process further includes applying a pressure to the second substrate via a flexible membrane, said pressure being applied in a generally uniform, unidirectional and localized manner. Further, the applied pressure flattens the PSA between the first substrate and the second substrate for promoting suitability of the PSA for use in rigid-to-rigid lamination processes.

Abstract: A optical assembly is utilized in various applications including in a display assembly. The optical assembly includes a first translucent substrate, a second translucent substrate, a first layer of adhesive, and a second layer of adhesive. The first layer of adhesive is bonded to the first translusive substrate and the second layer of adhesive is bonded to the second translusive substrate. The first layer of adhesive is configured for diffusive effects, and the second layer of adhesive is configured for diffusive effects.