Abstract: An apparatus and methods for flame-perforating films. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a flame, and where the flame includes a flame tip opposite the burner and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is in contact with the film, where the burner is positioned such that the distance between an unimpinged flame tip of the flame and the burner is at least one-third greater than the distance between the film and the burner.

Abstract: A system for forming a multi-layer film, where the system includes a backing support having a surface and a close-coupled unit configured to be disposed adjacent the surface of the backing support. The close-coupled unit includes a corona electrode and a coating die disposed at a downstream location along the surface from the corona electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for flame-perforating films. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a flame, and where the flame includes a flame tip opposite the burner and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is in contact with the film, where the burner is positioned such that the distance between an unimpinged flame tip of the flame and the burner is at least one-third greater than the distance between the film and the burner.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for flame-perforating polymeric films with an oxygen-enriched flame. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, a support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, an oxygen-enrichment system for increasing the amount of oxygen in the combustible mixture, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a stable flame, and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is directed towards the film to cause the film to be perforated. One embodiment of the method of flame perforating a polymeric film includes igniting an oxygen-enriched combustible mixture to form a stable flame, wherein the flame generated by the oxygen-enriched combustible mixture provides more uniform perforations.

Abstract: Provided are a tape, apparatus, and method that relate generally to a single layer adhesive which functions as a dicing tape and also as a die attach adhesive for dicing thinned wafers and subsequent die attach operations of the diced chips in semiconductor device fabrication. The tape, apparatus, and method include a backing with a surface modification that includes a pattern.

Abstract: The invention features protective film constructions that may be used, for example, as a protective floor finish.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to methods, systems, and apparatus for obtaining flame-perforated films which reduce or eliminate skewing of perforations in such films caused by thermal creep, whereby the film has perforations arranged to provide controlled tear characteristics, especially in both the lengthwise or machine direction (MD), and the crosswise or transverse direction (TD).

Abstract: Methods and systems utilize an atmospheric-pressure nitrogen dielectric-barrier discharge to treat the surface of polymer substances. The atmospheric-pressure nitrogen dielectric-discharge may be maintained with a level of H2O below a pre-defined amount, such as by measuring and controlling the H2O within a treater, to produce a surface treatment for a polymer substance that yields desirable characteristics. Furthermore, the H2O level may be measured and controlled according to a pre-defined amount or according to another parameter such as an analysis of the resulting polymer surface. For example, the polymer surface may be provided with an optimal added nitrogen-to-added oxygen ratio and/or an optimal stability based on washed and unwashed advancing contact angles such as by controlling the H2O level within the treater based on these analyses of the treated polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for flame-perforating polymeric films with an oxygen-enriched flame. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, a support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, an oxygen-enrichment system for increasing the amount of oxygen in the combustible mixture, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a stable flame, and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is directed towards the film to cause the film to be perforated. One embodiment of the method of flame perforating a polymeric film includes igniting an oxygen-enriched combustible mixture to form a stable flame, wherein the flame generated by the oxygen-enriched combustible mixture provides more uniform perforations.

Abstract: A norbornene-based cyclic olefin layer with a curable layer disposed thereon is described. The curable layer may additionally be imparted with a texture. The norbornene-based cyclic olefin films with curable layers can be incorporated into optical bodies which include an optical film, such as an oriented multilayer optical film. In addition, the invention includes a method of coating a curable layer onto a norbornene-based polymer layer or film without requiring a primer layer. Methods of making the norbornene-based cyclic olefin layer containing films are also disclosed.

Abstract: A norbornene-based cyclic olefin layer with a curable layer disposed thereon is described. The curable layer may additionally be imparted with a texture. The norbornene-based cyclic olefin films with curable layers can be incorporated into optical bodies which include an optical film, such as an oriented multilayer optical film. In addition, the invention includes a method of coating a curable layer onto a norbornene-based polymer layer or film without requiring a primer layer. Methods of making the norbornene-based cyclic olefin layer containing films are also disclosed.

Abstract: A norbomene-based cyclic olefin layer with a curable layer disposed thereon is described. The curable layer may additionally be imparted with a texture. The norbomene-based cyclic olefin films with curable layers can be incorporated into optical bodies which include an optical film, such as an oriented multilayer optical film. In addition, the invention includes a method of coating a curable layer onto a norbomene-based polymer layer or film without requiring a primer layer. Methods of making the norbomene-based cyclic olefin layer containing films are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for forming a multi-layer film, where the system includes a backing support having a surface and a close-coupled unit configured to be disposed adjacent the surface of the backing support. The close-coupled unit includes. a corona electrode and a coating die disposed at a downstream location along the surface from the corona electrode.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a multi-layer film, comprising corona treating a surface of a substrate in a processing environment having a positive pressure and an oxygen concentration of about 100 parts-per-million by volume or less, and coating the corona-treated surface of the substrate with a coating material while the substrate is within the processing environment.

Abstract: An aperture mask is provided comprising an elongated web of flexible film having at least one deposition mask pattern formed in the film, wherein the deposition mask pattern defines deposition apertures that extend through the film that define at least a portion of one or more electronic circuit elements, and wherein deposition apertures are bounded by a rim, the rim being a portion of the mask which has a thickness greater than an average thickness for the mask.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for flame-perforating polymeric films with an oxygen-enriched flame. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, a support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, an oxygen-enrichment system for increasing the amount of oxygen in the combustible mixture, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a stable flame, and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is directed towards the film to cause the film to be perforated. One embodiment of the method of flame perforating a polymeric film includes igniting an oxygen-enriched combustible mixture to form a stable flame, wherein the flame generated by the oxygen-enriched combustible mixture provides more uniform perforations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for flame-perforating polymeric films with an oxygen-enriched flame. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, a support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, an oxygen-enrichment system for increasing the amount of oxygen in the combustible mixture, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a stable flame, and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is directed towards the film to cause the film to be perforated. One embodiment of the method of flame perforating a polymeric film includes igniting an oxygen-enriched combustible mixture to form a stable flame, wherein the flame generated by the oxygen-enriched combustible mixture provides more uniform perforations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for flame-perforating polymeric films with an oxygen-enriched flame. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, a support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, an oxygen-enrichment system for increasing the amount of oxygen in the combustible mixture, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a stable flame, and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is directed towards the film to cause the film to be perforated. One embodiment of the method of flame perforating a polymeric film includes igniting an oxygen-enriched combustible mixture to form a stable flame, wherein the flame generated by the oxygen-enriched combustible mixture provides more uniform perforations.

Abstract: A polymeric film having a plurality of perforations, which are specially structured and arranged is described. The polymeric film provides a strong, high-tensile strength material that permits hand tearing of the film along a desired tear path, providing a controlled tear propagation line. The polymeric film may also be incorporated into a multi-layer film having cloth-like properties of strength and tear propagation, and is suitable for use various adhesive tape applications. Methods of making the polymeric film are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for flame-perforating films. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a flame, and where the flame includes a flame tip opposite the burner and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is in contact with the film, where the burner is positioned such that the distance between an unimpinged flame tip of the flame and the burner is at least one-third greater than the distance between the film and the burner.