Abstract: A system for drying chemical reagents on material, particularly for producing product used in making reagent test strips is described. By drying selected chemicals on substrate drawn past a radiant energy source (preferably an IR source), rapid drying may be achieved while obtaining high-quality product. Airflow sufficient to break or disturb a vapor boundary layer above drying solution may be provided to increase drying speeds. Any airflow provided should not disturb the surface of the solution. Still, air-impingement drying techniques may be employed in the system to finish drying reagent material once it is sufficiently dry to be stable in shape. The substrate upon which chemicals are dried may include a reflective coating to facilitate its use with high levels of radiant energy. A metallic or metalized substrate is advantageously used in producing electrochemical test strips. Such test strips may be used in conjunction with various kits and be conveniently read using known hand-held meters.

Abstract: A system for drying chemical reagents on material, particularly for producing product used in making reagent test strips is described. By drying selected chemicals on substrate drawn past a radiant energy source (preferably an IR source), rapid drying may be achieved while obtaining high-quality product. Airflow sufficient to break or disturb a vapor boundary layer above drying solution may be provided to increase drying speeds. Any airflow provided should not disturb the surface of the solution. Still, air-impingement drying techniques may be employed in the system to finish drying reagent material once it is sufficiently dry to be stable in shape. The substrate upon which chemicals are dried may include a reflective coating to facilitate its use with high levels of radiant energy. A metallic or metalized substrate is advantageously used in producing electrochemical test strips. Such test strips may be used in conjunction with various kits and be conveniently read using known hand-held meters.

Abstract: A system for laying down stripes of solution on substrate is described. The substrate preferably comprises a web of material set on a backing roller passed by a specially configured die. The die includes at least a mouth with lips extending beyond a face or body of the die. The die is adapted to avoid fluid leakage therefrom. Upper and lower portions of the die defining the mouth are preferably substantially flat and mirror images of each other. The lips are preferably placed in close proximity to the material on which the solution is to be deposited. Solution passing through the mouth of the die is directed to the webbing and deposited in a substantially constant thickness stripe or band. Often, the solution comprises a reagent-type solution. The solution coating is typically dried onto the substrate. Dried product may then be used in reagent test strop production.

Abstract: A method for laying down stripes of solution on substrate is described. The substrate preferably comprises a web of material set on a backing roller passed by a specially configured die. The die includes at least a mouth with lips extending beyond a face or body of the die. The die is adapted to avoid fluid leakage therefrom. Upper and lower portions of the die defining the mouth are preferably substantially flat and mirror images of each other. The lips are preferably placed in close proximity to the material on which the solution is to be deposited. Solution passing through the mouth of the die is directed to the webbing and deposited in a substantially constant thickness stripe or band. Often, the solution comprises a reagent-type solution. The solution coating is typically dried onto the substrate. Dried product may then be used in reagent test strip production.

Abstract: A system for laying down stripes of solution on substrate is described. The substrate preferably comprises a web of material set on a backing roller passed by a specially configured die. The die includes at least a mouth with lips extending beyond a face or body of the die. The die is adapted to avoid fluid leakage therefrom. Upper and lower portions of the die defining the mouth are preferably substantially flat and mirror images of each other. The lips are preferably placed in close proximity to the material on which the solution is to be deposited. Solution passing through the mouth of the die is directed to the webbing and deposited in a substantially constant thickness stripe or band. Often, the solution comprises a reagent-type solution. The solution coating is typically dried onto the substrate. Dried product may then be used in reagent test strip production.

Abstract: A system for laying down stripes of solution on substrate is described. The substrate preferably comprises a web of material set on a backing roller passed by a specially configured die. The die includes at least a mouth with lips extending beyond a face or body of the die. The die is adapted to avoid fluid leakage therefrom. Upper and lower portions of the die defining the mouth are preferably substantially flat and mirror images of each other. The lips are preferably placed in close proximity to the material on which the solution is to be deposited. Solution passing through the mouth of the die is directed to the webbing and deposited in a substantially constant thickness stripe or band. Often, the solution comprises a reagent-type solution. The solution coating is typically dried onto the substrate. Dried product may then be used in reagent test strop production.

Abstract: A bright metallized formable film laminate having excellent optical and deformation properties. The bright metallized formable film laminate preferably includes a formable, weatherable clear coat film comprising polyvinylidene difluoride, a formable clear coat leveling layer on the weatherable clear coat film, and a discontinuous layer of indium islands deposited on the formable leveling layer, opposite said weatherable clear coat film. Also disclosed are methods of making such bright metallized formable film laminates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bright metallized formable film laminate having excellent optical and deformation properties. The bright metallized formable film laminate preferably includes a formable, weatherable clear coat film comprising polyvinylidene difluoride, a formable clear coat leveling layer on the weatherable clear coat film, and a discontinuous layer of indium islands deposited on the formable leveling layer, opposite said weatherable clear coat film. Also disclosed are methods of making such bright metallized formable film laminates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a bright metallized laminate. In one aspect, the method includes press polishing a polyvinylidene difluoride-containing film, either before or after the deposition of a discontinuous layer of indium islands, so that the polyvinylidene difluoride-containing film becomes microscopically smooth. In another aspect, the method includes applying a thermoplastic leveling layer to a polyvinylidene difluoride-containing film and thereafter depositing a discontinuous layer of indium islands upon the thermoplastic leveling layer.

Abstract: A bright metallized laminate is disclosed that includes a polyvinylidene difluoride-acrylic film having microscopically smooth surfaces, a discontinuous layer of indium islands deposited on the polyvinylidene difluoride-acrylic film, an adhesive layer bonded to the surface of the discontinuous indium layer opposite the polyvinylidene difluoride-acrylic film, and a thermoplastic backing layer bonded to the adhesive layer opposite the discontinuous layer of indium islands. An associated method is disclosed for forming the bright metallized laminate that includes the steps of casting a polyvinylidene difluoride-acrylic film to a polymeric substrate, depositing a discontinuous layer of indium islands upon the polyvinylidene difluoride-acrylic film, placing a polymeric film onto the discontinuous layer of indium islands, and press polishing the polyvinylidene difluoride-acrylic film and the discontinuous indium layer. The polyvinylidene difluoride-acrylic film demonstrates a roughness average (RA) of about 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a coating material, such as an organic monomer, in vapor form onto a substrate including a heated evaporation chamber having an inlet for introduction of the coating material into the chamber and a nozzle having an adjustable opening for adjusting cross direction coating uniformity. The nozzle may include a plurality of adjustment bolts spaced along the width of the nozzle for adjusting the opening of the nozzle. The adjustment bolts may be alternating push and pull adjustment bolts. Alternatively, the adjustable bolts are bolts having compound threads such that each bolt is capable of both pulling and pushing the adjustable opening of the nozzle. The substrate is preferably a moving web that defines the outer surface of a cooled drum. The apparatus further includes a radiation source positioned adjacent to the substrate for curing an organic monomer coating on said substrate. The radiation source may be an electron beam gun or an ultraviolet lamp.