Abstract: A housing, comprising: a substrate; and a vacuum depositing coating formed on the substrate by vacuum depositing method, the vacuum depositing coating including a first metal coating, a second metal coating formed on the first metal coating, and a third metal coating formed on the second metal coating; wherein the first metal coating is an aluminum coating having a light transmittance of about 25-35%, the second metal coating is a silicon dioxide coating having a thickness of about 150-450 nm, and the third metal coating is a titanium coating having a light transmittance of about 45-55%. A method for making the housing is also described.

Abstract: A device housing and a manufacturing method for fabricating the device housing are provided. The device housing includes a transparent substrate, a first decorative coating formed on the transparent substrate, a second decorative coating formed on the first decorative coating and the transparent substrate, and a third decorative coating formed on the first decorative coating and the second decorative coating. The first decorative coating has a grid pattern appearance. The second decorative coating is light reflective. The third decorative coating has a color that contrasts against the first decorative coating.

Abstract: A process for surface treating a plastic substrate is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a plastic substrate; forming a golden-colored vacuum coated layer which is nonconductive on the plastic substrate; and forming a protective coating on the vacuum coated layer. A golden vacuum coated layer which is nonconductive is formed on the plastic substrate by the present process.

Abstract: A surface treatment method for plastic articles, comprising: molding a substrate to form a roughened region on a surface of the substrate; forming a base paint coating on the surface of the substrate having the roughened region; forming a vacuum coating with metallic appearance on the base paint coating; forming a middle paint coating on the vacuum coating; and forming a top paint coating on the middle paint coating.

Abstract: Processes for coating implantable medical devices that improve the stability of therapeutic agents contained within the coating.

Abstract: A transparent display cover (100) and a method of forming such includes forming (204) a transparent polymer material (104) having a thickness between 0.2 and 38 micrometers on a glass material (102) and disposing (216) one of the materials (106) selected from the group consisting of an antireflective coating and a vacuum metallized coating on the transparent polymer material (104). The transparent polymer material (104) may comprise one of a polyimide, siloxane, polyurethane, polyester, polycarbonate, and polyethylene applied (204) by spin coat or meniscus with a thickness of less than 38 micrometers.

Abstract: A vacuum film formation method for forming at least one inorganic layer on a support, which comprise transporting a support of which the area of the surface to be coated with an inorganic layer formed thereon is a (unit: cm2) into a first vacuum tank having a capacity of at most 100 a (unit: cm3) under atmospheric pressure, degassing the first vacuum tank into a vacuum, transporting the support from the first vacuum tank to a second vacuum tank while the vacuum condition is kept as such, and forming at least one inorganic layer on the support in the second vacuum tank.

Abstract: An applicator device (1) applies surface size to at least one side of a web (W). A pressure effect is applied to the web (W) by subjecting the web (W) to an underpressure and/or to an overpressure such that surface size is forced to penetrate into the pores of the web. Most advantageously, an underpressure is created that sucks applied surface size from the surface of the web (W) into the pores in the inner layers. Surface size is applied to a web first side (W1) and a vacuum effect is applied to the web's opposite side (W2) to cause air to flow through the web (W) such that surface size moves from the first side (W1) in the direction of the second side (W2) into the web (W). Correspondingly, both sides of the web (W) can be treated in successive stages.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane, and methods for making and using the membrane. The membrane has a continuous, defect-free, non-porous, hydrophilic coating that reduces the susceptibility to fouling.

Abstract: A method of coating a stent using a pressure mandrel is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorinated cyclic olefin electret film including a fluorinated cyclic olefin polymer film characterized by having a cyclic olefin polymer grafted with a fluorocarbon alkyl group, and a parylene film over the fluorinated cyclic olefin polymer film.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for tissue processing are described here. The chemical process and the construction of the apparatus are simplified by using only two different solutions in two separate reaction modules. They are compatible with processing of tissue specimens for genetic analysis, histology, in situ antibody binding and hybridization, archival preservation of morphology and nucleic acids, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: There is provided a metallizable alkene or olefin polymer composition. The composition results from the blending of a modifier with an alkene or olefin polymer composition. The modifier is selected from the group consisting of: a maleic anhydride grafted ethylene copolymer, an ethylene copolymer containing acid monomers and/or ester monomers, an acid-grafted propylene copolymer, and a maleic anhydride grafted blend of a propylene copolymer with an ethylene copolymer. The resultant polymeric composition adheres surprisingly well to metal films and particularly well to aluminum film. The resultant composition also has unexpectedly favourable rheology properties making the composition efficient to use in co-extrusion processes. Also provided is a method of preparing the polymer compositions.

Abstract: Polydiacetylene (PDA) coatings are fabricated on porous membranes, specifically on membranes that have been pretreated or post treated by exposure to additional materials. In addition, the surface of the deposited diacetylene and PDA coatings can be modified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a film made from a cross-linked polysiloxane obtained by subjecting a polysiloxane that has a specific chemical structure and contains at least two unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups in one molecule and an organosilicon compound with at least two hydrogen atoms directly bonded to silicon atoms in one molecule to cross-linking reaction in the presence of a platinum-type catalyst. The film provided by the invention possesses superior heat-resistant properties, has excellent permeability for light in the visible wavelength range, is characterized by low birefringence, and demonstrates physical properties suitable for practical application. By forming an inorganic substance layer on the aforementioned polysiloxane, it is possible to use the laminated film of the invention, e.g., as a transparent electrode film.

Abstract: A hollow coated molded product is easily produced whose interior is coated, by using first and second moldings injection-molded through a first injecting step. Against first and second moldings injection-molded through a first injecting step, a coating device provided on a robot hand is butted and forms coatings thereon at a step at which a movable mold is separated from the fixed mold and thereafter, the first and second moldings are butted against each other and integrated through a second injecting step, whereby a coated molded product is formed.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a high barrier lamination suitable for the construction of lighter than air materials including providing a thin, two layer thermoplastic film consisting of an amorphous copolyester skin and a high crystalline polyester core; plasma treating the high crystalline polyester core layer to a surface energy of about 50 to about 68 dyne; depositing a metal barrier layer to an optical density of about 2.2 to about 3.2; and extrusion coating a linear low density polyethylene sealant layer on the amorphous copolyester skin layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for producing a thin organic film on a substrate using an ultrasonic nozzle to produce a cloud of micro-droplets in a vacuum chamber. The micro-droplets move turbulently within the vacuum chamber, isotropically impacting and adhering to the surface of the substrate. The resulting product has a smooth, continuous, conformal, and uniform organic thin film, when the critical process parameters of micro-droplet size, shot size, vacuum chamber pressure, and timing are well-controlled, and defects such as “orange peel” effect and webbing are avoided. The apparatus includes an improved ultrasonic nozzle assembly that comprises vacuum sealing and a separate, independent passageway for introducing a directed purging gas.

Abstract: An environmentally-friendly process for applying a chrome finish on a substrate is provided. The chrome finish comprises a thin film of aluminum and chromium deposited onto the substrate by physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques. The thin layer can consist of three separately deposited metallic layers including a chromium layer sandwiched between a pair of aluminum layers or can consist of a single, simultaneously co-deposited layer of aluminum and chromium in a ratio of 10% to 70% by weight chromium and 30% to 90% aluminum. The structure of a coated substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A defect free semipermeable composite membrane having excellent integrity and high water permeability is provided. Said composite membrane comprises an inside support layer to provide sufficient mechanical strength; an outside barrier layer to provide selective separation; and a middle layer to provide both physical adhesion and chemical binding between said support and said barrier layer to bond them together. Three different methods for making said defect free composite membrane are discovered. These methods have been successfully utilized to produce high quality coatings and defect free composite membranes, which are independent of chemical composition and physical structure of said support. In the present invention, ultrasonic sonication is discovered to be effective to speed up the phase inversion process of a membrane casting solution, thus allows produce a composite membrane at a speed much higher than those disclosed in the prior art.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas sensor and its method of manufacture. Electrochemical gas sensors usually comprise an external housing, which acts as a reservoir for electrolyte; a wick to keep electrodes wetted with the electrolyte and external electrical terminals, for making electrical contact with the electrodes. Typically a gas permeable/microporous membrane has been used to seal a gas sensor in order to prevent leakage of electrolyte. A problem with existing sensors has been that there was a risk of electrolyte leaking through the membrane around the region where electrical connectors passed therethrough. The present invention overcomes this by providing a method of urging conductive polymer through the membrane under controlled conditions of heat and pressure, thereby ensuring the integrity of the membrane remains in tact while defining an electrically/conductive pathway therethrough.

Abstract: The invention relates woven and knit materials with an incorporated particulate solid and to a process for producing woven materials incorporated with a particulate solid. The process comprises: entraining a particulate solid in a gaseous carrier; disposing one face of a woven material in the path of a stream of said gaseous carrier and entrained particulate solid; maintaining a pressure drop across the woven material from said one face to the other face of said material, thereby to obtain a woven material with at least some of the entrained particulate solid in the gaseous carrier; and fixing the incorporated particulate solid.

Abstract: A method for repeatedly converting a solvent from a state of solvent to a state of antisolvent with relatively little loss of solvent. The method is used to allow for processing of large amounts of solute material with minimum amounts of solvent.

Abstract: A method for production of endless plastic hollow profiles, in particular tubes, comprises several production stages for the plastic tube and a coating stage for a metal coating. A reduced pressure is provided in the coating stage, whereby the metal is transferred into the gas phase and deposited on the tube as a surface layer homogeneously bonded thereto.

Abstract: A method for modifying surface of biodegradable porous polymer scaffold for tissue engineering using a low temperature plasma discharge apparatus, and particularly, a method for inducing the biodegradable porous polymer scaffold to be hydrophilic by graft polymerizing a hydrophilic monomer on the surface of the biodegradable porous polymer scaffold, which is made of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid or poly(lactic acid-glycolic acid) copolymer, using a low temperature plasma. The surface-modified porous polymer scaffold according to the present invention has an enhanced cell compatibility in cell culture in vitro, and promote tissue growth when the cell is transplanted into a body.

Abstract: A method for applying a foam composition to a paper web is provided. Specifically, a foam applicator is positioned adjacent to a surface of the web. The foam applicator comprises an extrusion head defining an extrusion channel through which the foam composition is capable of flowing. The foam applicator further defines a dispensing slot through which the foam composition is capable of exiting the foam applicator. The method also includes flowing the foam composition through the extrusion channel of the foam applicator. The foam composition is impinged with at least one gaseous stream (e.g., air stream) to fragment or break up gaseous bubbles contained therein.

Abstract: A process for applying a thermoplastic coating to a substrate wherein the gases and other volatiles in a boundary layer between the substrate and the coating are evacuated using a high volume, high velocity air stream which traverses the surface of the substrate to be coated (functioning as an air knife) such that, when the coating is applied, gases/volatiles do not disrupt the coating while:the coating cools and solidifies. The effect of the air knife may be enhanced by heating the substrate and/or by applying a solvent to the substrate. The air knife also cools down the boundary layer of the substrate so that, as the thermoplastic coating is applied, this cooled-down and gas-evacuated boundary layer provides a measure of insulation between the coating and any gases/volatiles which have not been evacuated from the substrate.

Abstract: A process for impregnating a porous material with a cross-linkable composition is disclosed. The degree of impregnation and placement of the cross-linkable composition within the pores of the porous material can be controlled very precisely through the use of a pressure differential. The pressure differential is effected through a nonreactive gas, a vacuum, or a combination thereof. Medical devices produced using such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for applying a foam composition to a paper web is provided. Specifically, a paper web is initially formed from papermaking fibers and is carried by a first moving papermaking surface so that a first surface of the paper web faces the first moving papermaking surface (e.g., fabric). A foam composition is deposited onto a second moving papermaking surface (e.g., fabric). The second moving papermaking surface is positioned adjacent to the first moving papermaking surface so that a second surface of the paper web faces the second moving papermaking surface. As a result, at least a portion of the foam composition is transferred to the paper web.

Abstract: Method for forming a cover layer on a disk. The method includes a coating step, in which an uncured cover layer is coated on the surface of the disk, and the average thickness of the cover layer is enough to support to the requirement of a predetermined laminating thickness, a laminating step, where a transparent capping board of amorphous olefin polymer is laminated on the uncured cover layer whose thickness is maintained at a predetermined thickness to obtain a smooth surface, an illuminating step, where a UV light source is shined onto the cover layer to harden and cure the cover layer, and a stripping step, where the capping board is stripped from the cured cover layer.

Abstract: A cleaned, sterile ceramic, metallic or polymeric substrate surface is vapor-deposited under sterile conditions with silica, is wetted on top of this with a saline coupling agent under sterile conditions, and is provided on top of the latter with a preserving protective layer which is sterile and/or can be sterilized after polymerization and constitutes the activatable first component of a multi-component adhesive which at the time of use is formed by addition of at least one further adhesive component. A workpiece which has been partially or completely coated in this way can be connected with good adhesion to a polymer, even after several months of sterile storage and transportation, by means of the activation of the protective layer with a monomer.

Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a trifluoromethyl-containing component and a hardenable material. Weatherable coatings are also provided by compositions comprising a mobile non-volatile fluorinated component and a hardenable material. Processes are also provided for forming hydrophobic coatings on articles.

Abstract: Achromatic multilayer diffractive pigment flakes and foils are provided having diffractive structures thereon. The diffractive pigment flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, an asymmetrical stacked coating structure on one side of a reflective layer, or can be formed with one or more encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can be formed on a carrier substrate. The diffractive pigment flakes and foils can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects. The diffractive foils and diffractive compositions applied to an object exhibit an iridescent diffractive effect over an achromatic background.

Abstract: A curtain coater and a curtain-coating method for coating a moving web of paper or board are described. The curtain coater has an applicator nozzle for applying a coating mix to the surface of the web in the form of a continuous curtain extending uniformly over the cross-machine width of the web. In one aspect, a doctoring means located upstream (in terms of the direction of travel of the web) from the applicator nozzle substantially removes the air boundary layer traveling on the surface of the web. In another aspect, the doctoring means comprises a suction nozzle for removing the air boundary layer. In yet another aspect, a gas nozzle located downstream from the applicator nozzle sprays gas on the coating curtain in order to help apply the coating mix to the surface of the web.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating for an implantable medical device, such as a stent, is provided which includes applying a composition to the device in an environment having a selected pressure. An apparatus is also provided for coating the devices. The apparatus comprises a chamber for housing the device wherein the pressure of the chamber can be adjusted during the coating process.

Abstract: The invention provides for improvements in composition and methods for the preservation of cellulosic materials through use of solutions comprising organic multi-valent metal carbonates, C1-C4 alcohol having a moisture content of less than 100 ppm, and 86-99 weight percent of a solvent having a moisture content of less than 100 ppm.

Abstract: A method of applying a coating to a surface of a substrate, comprising the steps of: introducing a substrate into an atmosphere which consists of at least one chemically reactive compound, water and at least one of nitrogen and argon, and thereafter using a corona discharge on the surface of the substrate to form a coating from the reactive compound having an inhibiting effect on the permeability to vapor and/or gas.

Abstract: A method for treating substrates including the steps of: providing a substrate; exposing said substrate to a plasma glow discharge in the presence of a fluorocarbon gas; maintaining said gas at a pressure between about 50 mTorr and about 400 mTorr; generating said plasma as a modulated glow discharge; pulsing said discharge at an on time of 1-500 milliseconds; pulsing said glow at an off time of 1-1000 milliseconds; maintaining said plasma glow discharge at a power density of 0.02-10 watts/cm2; and applying a hydrophobic coating to said substrate.

Abstract: A degassed polyester varnish is applied to the transduction driver to increase surface dielectric strength (insulation resistance), driver voltage breakdown, physical protection, and heat and water resistance. A vacuum chamber application process is used to apply the polyester varnish. The disclosed coating technique is applicable to all transducer drive materials and all transducer types.

Abstract: In a device for forming magnetic film which deposits magnetic material on a substrate 12, a device is provided which, before the magnetic film is formed in a magnetic film-forming chamber 11, cleans one or both of the film-forming face and reverse face of the substrate 12 in a cleaning processing chamber 13. The cleaning mechanism carries out cleaning by placing a substrate on a horseshoe-shaped insulator substrate-holding part 51 which moves up and down, and emission of gas from the reverse face of the substrate and the like is brought about by generating Ar plasma between the upper periphery of the substrate, the substrate and a lower insulator 61 of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treatment with a microwave plasma by maintaining a reduced pressure in a plasma-treating chamber for treatment with a plasma in which a substrate that is to be treated with a microwave plasma is contained, introducing a treating gas into the plasma-treating chamber and introducing microwaves into the plasma-treating chamber, wherein a metallic antenna is disposed in the plasma-treating chamber. The plasma is generated within a very short period of time maintaining stability after the microwaves are introduced into the plasma-treating chamber, and the treatment is accomplished maintaining stability.

Abstract: A prosthesis having an apertured structure is located in a chamber (11) which is taken to sub-atmospheric pressure. Once sub-atmospheric pressure has been reached, a liquid, optionally containing pharmacological agents, is introduced into the chamber. Drawn by the sub-atmospheric pressure, the liquid saturates the apertured structure of the prosthesis. In this way, the invention eliminates the risk of air being trapped in the apertured structure that could give rise to the formation of blood clots after implantation of the prosthesis. The liquid can contain drugs that penetrate the prosthesis, performing their therapeutic action locally and over time after implantation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing reinforced oriented strand boards includes steps of injecting melamine-formaldehyde resin or phenol-formaldehyde resin in finished oriented stand boards, of heating and pressing them to let the resin harden. As strands of woods of the originally oriented strand boards cannot completely closely bonded together, with many gaps remained, so injected resin can fill up those gaps and filtrate and wrap the strand woods to make the whole oriented strand boards having reinforced strength and fire-resistant property as well.

Abstract: Vacuum/gas phase reactor embodiments used in gas phase dehydroxylation and alkylation reactions are described in which the substrate could be subjected to high vacuum, heated to target temperature, and treated with silane as quickly and efficiently as possible. To better facilitate the silylation and to increase the efficiency of the process, the reactor is designed to contain quasi-catalytic surfaces which can act both as an “activator” to put species in a higher energy state or a highly activated state, and as a “scrubber” to eliminate possible poisons or reactive by-products generated in the silylation reactions. One described embodiment is a hot filament reactor having hot, preferably metallic, solid surfaces within the reactor's chamber in which wafers having mesoporous silicate films are treated. Another is an IR reactor having upper and lower quartz windows sealing the upper and lower periphery of an aluminum annulus to form a heated chamber.

Abstract: A hydrophobic polymer fiber having a cationically charged coating thereon, in which the coating includes a functionalized cationic polymer, such as an epichlorohydrin-functionalized polyamine or an epichlorohydrin-functionalized polyamido-amine, which has been crosslinked by heat. The present invention also provides a fibrous filter which includes hydrophobic polymer fibers having the foregoing cationically charged coating thereon. The present invention further provides a method of preparing a fibrous filter.

Abstract: A process for impregnating a porous material with a cross-linkable composition is disclosed. The degree of impregnation and placement of the cross-linkable composition within the pores of the porous material can be controlled very precisely through the use of a pressure differential. The pressure differential is effected through a nonreactive gas, a vacuum, or a combination thereof. Medical devices produced using such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for retarding the deterioration rate of acidic paper is disclosed. The method includes placing an acidic paper article in a polymer film enclosure having a reservoir of deacidifying agent. The deacidifying agent migrates over time to the paper article in an amount sufficient to retard the deterioration rate of the paper. The method can further include placing in the polymer film enclosure a carrier material having a second reservoir of deacidifying agent. An article for retarding the deterioration rate of acidic paper is also disclosed. The article includes a polymer film enclosure having a reservoir of deacidifying agent. The polymer film enclosure is capable of enclosing an acidic paper article. The deacidifying agent is capable of migrating over time to the acidic paper article enclosed therein in an amount sufficient to retard the deterioration rate of the paper. The article can further include a carrier material having a reservoir of deacidifying agent.

Abstract: The method of making a tubular member having a continuous and uninterrupted cured elastomeric resin coating on an outer surface of the member includes forming a continuous uninterrupted tubular layer of uncured elastomeric resin and drawing the resin layer against the surface of the tubular member to be coated by applying suction between the resin layer and the surface of the tubular member so that the resin adheres to the surface of the tubular member. The elastomeric resin may then be continuously heated and cured to produce the final product. Apparatus for carrying out the process is disclosed and includes, in sequence, a coating zone including a sub-atmospheric chamber, a heating zone and a feed mechanism for advancing the tubular member relative to the coating and heating zones.

Abstract: A process for producing antiadhesive layers on a web-form material, characterized in that the antiadhesive layers are applied to the web-form material by means of low pressure plasma polymerization by guiding the web-form material continuously through a plasma zone containing a low pressure plasma.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for applying discrete area holograms or other optical devices directly onto documents or other substrates in a continuous process analogous to the operation of a printing press. The continuous process is carried out in a vacuum chamber in which at least two process steps are performed in sequence: the formation of a micro-grooved discrete resin area and a localized coating of it with a reflective or refractive material layer. The formation of the micro-grooved resin area can be accomplished by electron beam curing of the resin. The localized coating of the micro-grooved resin can be done by sputtering. One or more other steps, including pre-coating, post-coating and partial removal of the reflective or refractive layer, may also be carried out as part of the continuous process within the vacuum chamber.