Abstract: Methods and systems of using pocket roller (110, 130) to place objects on a continuously moving web (2) are provided. The objects are received in an array of pockets (124) on a major surface of a roller sleeve (120). The roller sleeve (120) engages with an adhesive surface (22) of the continuously moving web (2) to place the objects on the web (2).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for screen or stencil printing a pattern on a substrate are provided. The substrate (2) has its major surface in contact with a first major surface (112) of a stencil shell (111) having apertures (116). A coating material is disposed onto the second major surface (114) of the stencil shell (111) to flow through the apertures (116) to contact the substrate (2), where the coating material is at least partially cured. The substrate (2) is separated (C) from the first major surface (112) of the stencil shell (111) after the curing (142) and a pattern (42) of the at-least-partially-cured coating material is formed on the substrate (2).

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to shaped abrasive particles having sharp tips, methods of making the shaped abrasive particles, methods of abrading a substrate with the shaped abrasive particles, and coated abrasive articles including the shaped abrasive particles. The shaped abrasive particle includes a ceramic, has a polygonal cross-sectional shape along a longitudinal axis of the shaped abrasive particle, and at least one tip of the shaped abrasive particle has a radius of curvature of less than or equal to about 19.2 microns.

Abstract: A curable composition comprises a siloxane compound and a tetraalkyl orthotitanate. The siloxane compound comprises m divalent units represented by the formula —SiH(R1)O—, n divalent units represented by the formula —Si(R1)(OR2)O—, and p divalent units represented by the formula —Si(R1)2O—, wherein each R1 independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to four carbon atoms, each R2 independently represents H or an alkyl group having from 1 to four carbon atoms, m and n are integers greater than or equal to 1, and p is an integer greater than or equal to 0. An at least partially cured curable composition and composite articles including the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an optical film for control of light includes positioning a first mixture on a substrate, wherein the first mixture includes a first plurality of magnetizable particles dispersed in a first resin, assembling the first plurality of magnetizable particles into a desired structure for the control of the light by rotating modulation of at least a first magnetic field relative to the first plurality of magnetizable particles, and vitrifying the first resin while the first plurality of magnetizable particles are in the desired structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for roll coating are provided. The roll coating system (100) includes a coating roll (110) having a deformable inner layer (12) with a surface thereof covered by a deformable outer layer (14), the inner layer being softer than the outer layer. A substrate (3) is conveyed to the nip (12) between the coating roll and a back-up roll (120). A metered coating material is transferred from the coating roll to a patterned surface structure (40) of the substrate at the nip to form a conformal coating on the patterned structure of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for screen or stencil printing a pattern on a substrate are provided. The substrate (2) has its major surface in contact with a first major surface (112) of a stencil shell (111) having apertures (116). A coating material is disposed onto the second major surface (114) of the stencil shell (111) to flow through the apertures (116) to contact the substrate (2), where the coating material is at least partially cured. The substrate (2) is separated (C) from the first major surface (112) of the stencil shell (111) after the curing (142) and a pattern (42) of the at-least-partially-cured coating material is formed on the substrate (2).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying coatings on a moving web are provided. A coating die and a back-up roll engage with each other. The back-up roll includes a shell rotatably supported by a pressurized air layer. When a coating material is dispensed from the coating die onto the web to form a liquid coating, the pressure of the air layer is controlled such that the shell translates in space to balance forces from the air layer and the coating bead, while the web is being translated to drive the shell.

Abstract: A printing system (200) including a printing roll (220) is provided. The printing roll (220) includes an elastically deformable and compressible inner layer (224) and a thin outer shell (222) to cover the inner layer (224). The thin outer shell (222) includes a pattern of raised print features (223) to receive ink material thereon. The inner layer (224) is softer and thicker than the thin outer shell (222), and optionally, the thin outer shell (222) is removable from the inner layer (224). The inner layer (224) of the printing roll (220) has a thickness, a compression force deflection value and an elastically-deformable compressibility such that the raised print features (223) of the printing roll (220) do not slide or deform with respect to the printed web (2) in an amount to generate a substantially visible dot gain.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying coatings (9) on a moving web (3) are provided. A slot die (20) and a back-up roll (11) engage with each other. The back-up roll has a deformable inner layer (12) with a surface thereof covered by a deformable outer layer (14). The slot die and the flexible web at a contacting area are impressed into the back-up roll with an engagement depth D, which enables formation of a coating having a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying coatings on a moving web are provided. A slot die including a concave die lip coating surface and a back-up roll engage with each other. The back-up roll has a deformable inner layer with a surface thereof covered by a deformable outer layer. The slot die and the flexible web at a contacting area are impressed into the back-up roll with an engagement depth D, which enables formation of a coating having a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying coatings on a moving web are provided. A coating die and a back-up roll engage with each other. The back-up roll includes a shell rotatably supported by a pressurized air layer. When a coating material is dispensed from the coating die onto the web to form a liquid coating, the pressure of the air layer is controlled such that the shell translates in space to balance forces from the air layer and the coating bead, while the web is being translated to drive the shell.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying coatings on a baggy web are provided. A Mayer rod and a back-up roll engage with each other to form a nip. The back-up roll has a deformable inner layer with a surface thereof covered by a deformable outer layer. The Mayer rod and the flexible web at a contacting area are impressed into the back-up roll with a machine-direction nip width W and a nip engagement depth D, which enables formation of a coating having a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A printing system (200) including a printing roll (220) is provided. The printing roll (220) includes an elastically deformable and compressible inner layer (224) and a thin outer shell (222) to cover the inner layer (224). The thin outer shell (222) includes a pattern of raised print features (223) to receive ink material thereon. The inner layer (224) is softer and thicker than the thin outer shell (222), and optionally, the thin outer shell (222) is removable from the inner layer (224). The inner layer (224) of the printing roll (220) has a thickness, a compression force deflection value and an elastically-deformable compressibility such that the raised print features (223) of the printing roll (220) do not slide or deform with respect to the printed web (2) in an amount to generate a substantially visible dot gain.

Abstract: A method of making a release coated article is described comprising: providing a release coating comprising at least 50 wt. % of monomer(s) comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a terminal alkyl group with at least 18 (e.g. contiguous) carbon atoms based on the total amount of ethylenically unsaturated components; crosslinking components(s) comprising at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups; and at least one polymerization initiator. The release coating is substantially solventless, comprising no greater than 1 wt. % of non-polymerizable organic solvent. The method further comprises applying the release coating to a major surface of a substrate; and polymerizing the monomer(s) and crosslinking component(s) of the release coating after applying the release coating to the substrate. Also described are release coating compositions.

Abstract: Methods of passivating an adhesive via printing an ink onto a release liner, and adhesive articles or products made by the same are provided. An ink pattern is printed onto a release liner to form a pattern of features. The features are at least partially embedded in an adhesive layer such that when the release liner is peeled from the adhesive layer, the passivation features remain with the layer of adhesive to form selected areas having adjusted adhesive functionality. Articles including the passivated adhesive on a release liner are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite article includes a conductive layer with nanowires on at least a portion of a flexible substrate, wherein the conductive layer has a conductive surface. A patterned layer of a low surface energy material is on a first region of the conductive surface. An overcoat layer free of conductive particulates is on a first portion of a second region of the conductive surface unoccupied by the patterned layer. A via is in a second portion of the second region of the conductive surface between an edge of the patterned layer of the low surface energy material and the overcoat layer. A conductive material is in the via to provide an electrical connection to the conductive surface.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for printing an ink pattern on a moving web via die cutting are provided. A die roll including an inked pattern of die blades contacts a substrate to cut or cleave the substrate surface. While the die blades withdraw from the substrate, at least some of the ink transfers from the die blades to the cut substrate to form an ink pattern.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying coatings (9) on a moving web (3) are provided. A slot die (20) and a back-up roll (11) engage with each other. The back-up roll has a deformable inner layer (12) with a surface thereof covered by a deformable outer layer (14). The slot die and the flexible web at a contacting area are impressed into the back-up roll with an engagement depth D, which enables formation of a coating having a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A printing system is provided. The printing system (300) includes a printing roll (310) having a rigid printing pattern (312) on a surface thereof configured to receive an ink material (330); and an inking roll (320) positioned adjacent to the printing roll. The inking roll includes an elastically deformable surface and a number of cells (324) disposed on the elastically deformable surface. A method of printing is also provided. The method includes (a) inking at least a portion of a rigid printing pattern (312) on a surface of a printing roll (310) by contacting the rigid printing pattern with an inking roll (320); and (b) contacting the rigid printing pattern with a substrate (350), transferring the ink material from the rigid printing pattern to a surface of the substrate. Printing systems and methods can achieve higher printing feature resolutions than typically achievable via flexographic printing.