Abstract: A Langmuir-Blodgett trough comprising a middle barrier, configured for creating two different layers of material over the surface of a single subphase liquid. The first layer of material is located on a first side of the middle barrier, while the second layer of material is located on a second side of the middle barrier. The through comprises an adjustment apparatus which comprises a first grooved edge, a second grooved edge, a first side barrier, and a second side barrier. The first side barrier and a second side barrier extend between the first grooved edges. The motion of the first and second side barriers is configured to adjust the surface areas of the first and second materials.

Abstract: A deposition assembly generally comprises a first deposition apparatus that is configured to receive a substrate, such as a glass mandrel. The first deposition apparatus is further configured to deposit a plurality of first monolayer molecules onto at least a surface of the substrate to generate a first coating structure on the substrate. A second deposition apparatus is coupled to the first deposition apparatus, and wherein the second deposition apparatus is configured to deposit a plurality of second monolayer molecules onto at least the surface of the substrate such that the second monolayer molecules are diffused through the first coating structure and at least one aperture is filled by at least one of the second monolayer molecules to generate at least one mold release layer on at least the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A coating machine has a receiving box, a releasing device, a length measuring device, a driving roller device and a coating device. The releasing device, the length measuring device, the driving roller device, and the coating device are assembled inside the receiving box. The coating device has a coating pole and a releasing set. The coating pole is arranged below the releasing set. The releasing set has a receptacle to contain an activator. The receptacle has at least one releasing hole to release the activator. The coating machine adopts the coating device with a simplified structure and has a merit of coating the activator evenly.

Abstract: An installation for forming a compact film of particles on a surface of a carrier fluid, including: a zone acting as a reservoir of carrier fluid; an inclined ramp; a particle storage and transfer zone situated extending from the inclined ramp; a mechanism moving the fluid; a mechanism dispensing the particles in solution, configured to dispense the particles at the surface of the carrier on the surface of the carrier fluid in the zone acting as a reservoir; and a mechanism raising a level of the carrier fluid by capillary effect, arranged at a junction between the zone acting as a reservoir and the inclined ramp.

Abstract: An apparatus for dipping a substrate includes: a body having an internal plate formed therein, and including a backing plate provided over the internal plate; a crucible accommodating an aqueous solution therein and provided over the backing plate; a crucible driving unit provided in the body and connected to the crucible to move the crucible in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction of the body; a support having a lower end to which a substrate is fixed; a support driving unit provided to an upper side of the body and connected to the support to drive the support in a length direction of the support or rotate the support in the vertical direction of the body; and a controlling unit connected to the crucible driving unit and the support driving unit to control driving of the crucible driving unit and the support driving unit.

Abstract: A facility for depositing a film of ordered particles onto a moving substrate, the facility configured to allow deposition, onto the substrate, of a film of ordered particles escaping from a particle outlet of a transfer zone having a first width. The facility further includes an accessory device in a form of a deposit head, provided to seal the particle outlet and configured to allow the deposition, onto the substrate, of a film of ordered particles escaping from an end of a particle transfer channel of the deposit head, the end having a second width strictly lower than the first width.

Abstract: A method for depositing particles on a substrate, or a running substrate, including: (a) producing at least one first compact film of particles floating on a carrier liquid provided in a transfer area having an outlet of particles arranged facing the substrate; (b) producing at least one pattern by depositing a substance on the first film in the transfer area, along a contour of the pattern, the substance maintaining the particles of the film together in contact with the substance; (c) removing at least one portion of the particles of the first film located interiorly relatively to the contour, or exteriorly relatively to the contour; and then (d) transferring patterns onto the substrate through the outlet of particles.

Abstract: A system for controlling a boundary of spreading liquid adhesive on a surface is disclosed. The system includes one or more ultra-violet (UV) sources configurable to emit UV light onto the liquid adhesive; and a control circuit coupled to the one or more UV sources and configured to control the one or more UV sources to selectively apply the UV light at selected locations on the liquid adhesive to cure the adhesive and prevent its further spread at those locations.

Abstract: A film formation system and a film formation method are disclosed. The film formation method includes the following steps performed in the film formation system that includes a container containing liquid, a liquid draining device for draining the liquid, a ring-shaped component installed in the container, and a carrying component installed in the liquid in the container for carrying at least a substrate: enabling the carrying component in the liquid and enabling the ring-shaped component to float on the liquid; when a film layer that is composed of nano-spheres is formed on the liquid, locating the film layer in a ring of the ring-shaped component; and removing the liquid, allowing the film layer to move downward in accordance with the ring-shaped component and be formed on the substrate, thereby preventing the nano-spheres from contacting an inner wall of the container and bursting, through the installation of the ring-shaped component.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for making gelatin shunts. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods that may involve moving a wire through a bath including a bottom layer of liquid gelatin and a top layer of water, thereby coating the wire with gelatin, moving the gelatin coated wire through an aperture, and drying the gelatin on the wire in a humidity controlled space, thereby manufacturing a gelatin shunt. In other embodiments, the invention provides systems that may include a motor, a wire operable coupled to the motor for movement of the wire, a temperature controllable bath, an aperture plate situated in a top portion of the bath, and an ultrasonic fogger, in which the system is configured such that the wire moves through the bath, through the aperture plate, and into the ultrasonic fogger.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for depositing a viscous material on a substrate surface. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of depositing a viscous material on a substrate surface, the method comprising: applying a pre-wet material to a surface of a substrate; depositing a viscous material atop the pre-wet material; rotating the substrate about an axis to spread the viscous material along the surface of the substrate toward a substrate edge; and depositing additional pre-wet material in a path along the surface and adjacent the spreading viscous material.

Abstract: A film formation system and a film formation method are disclosed. The film formation method includes the following steps performed in the film formation system that includes a container containing liquid, a water draining means for draining the liquid, a ring-shaped component installed in the container, and a carrying component installed in the liquid in the container for carrying at least a substrate: enabling the carrying component in the liquid and enabling the ring-shaped component to float on the liquid; when a film layer that is composed of nano-spheres is formed on the liquid, locating the film layer in a ring of the ring-shaped component; and removing the liquid, allowing the film layer to move downward in accordance with the ring-shaped component and be formed on the substrate, thereby preventing the nano-spheres from contacting an inner wall of the container and bursting, through the installation of the ring-shaped component.

Abstract: In an immersion lithography apparatus, the immersion liquid is supplied from a tank via a flow restrictor. The liquid held in the tank is maintained at a substantially constant height above the flow restrictor to ensure a constant flow of liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for growing a composite metal sulphide photcatalyst thin film, wherein photochemical deposition and chemical bath deposition are both performed for growing the composite metal sulphide thin film, such as (AgInS2)x/(ZnS)2(1-x), wherein x is 0-1.

Abstract: A rotating transfer device for transfer of a film to a substrate at a gas-liquid interface, the rotating transfer device comprising a substrate holder holding the substrate, and a rotational positioning unit for rotating the substrate holder, the rotational positioning unit having a pivot to which the substrate holder is attached, whereby the pivot is angled between 0° and 60° to the plane of the interface surface. As a result, LB patterns with different dimensions and orientations that depend on the transfer velocity can be generated simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating assembly and methods that employ the coating assembly to control the thickness of therapeutic or other coatings delivered to a medical device during a coating process. In one embodiment the coating assembly may include a coating plate having a coating transfer surface and a shoulder having a first height, a mandrel moveable over the coating transfer surface, and a coating dispenser positioned in fluid communication with the coating transfer surface. The invention also includes a method of coating a medical device. This method may include placing a medical device on a mandrel, dispensing coating onto a coating transfer surface of a coating plate, moving the mandrel and the medical device over the coating transfer surface of the coating plate so that coating resident on the coating transfer surface transfers to an exposed surface of the medical device, and removing the medical device from the mandrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically transferring a pattern to a surface of a steering wheel, automating a series of hydraulic pressure transfer steps, such as steering wheel supply, hydraulic pressure transfer, drying, and cleaning. Since a series of hydraulic pressure transfer processes, such as steering wheel supply, first transfer to the front surface portion of a rim of a steering wheel, removing of foreign material, drying, second transfer to the rear surface portion of a rim of a steering wheel, first cleaning, and second cleaning, are automated, processing time is saved and labor costs are reduced, improving productivity.

Abstract: A liquid-phase growth apparatus for growing a crystal on a substrate includes a crucible containing a solution that contains a raw material for forming the crystal, and a substrate holder for vertically holding the substrate. The substrate holder includes connectors, a receiving component, and a push component. The receiving component and the push component are opposite to each other and are connected by the connectors. The push component holds an upper portion of the substrate while the receiving component holds a lower portion of the substrate. The substrate holder containing the vertically held substrate is dipped into the solution. The receiving component ascends with buoyancy in the solution contained in the crucible, so that the substrate is now held securely and prevented from cracking due to thermal expansion.

Abstract: Method for high definition printing to be dip transferred to a three-dimensional article comprises four color process printing a digital image from a digital image file onto a water soluble polymer film with solvent based ink to form a printed water soluble film and dip transfer printing the solvent based ink image through transcription on the surface of the article. The method is suitable for printing three-dimensional articles of a variety of shapes with high definition, photographic-quality images. The method is particularly suitable for decorating articles with complex images such as camouflage patterns.

Abstract: Liquid pressure transfer capable of applying a decorative pattern to a loop-like workpiece with satisfactory reproducibility. The workpiece is immersed in a transfer liquid to apparently cut crosswise by a surface of the transfer liquid at a transfer initiating site. Also, the workpiece is substantially concurrently contacted on a circumference of a section thereof taken substantially in a thickness direction thereof with a transfer film at the transfer initiating site. The workpiece is shifted at the transfer initiating site so as to be continuously immersed in the transfer liquid in a longitudinal direction of the workpiece while an attitude of immersion of the workpiece is maintained. At least one of the workpiece and transfer film is transferred during the immersion.

Abstract: A liquid pressure transfer printing on a steering wheel rim of an automobile, using a transfer printing sheet having different patterns or brightness at left and right sides, is achieved by preparing a transfer printing sheet for a front surface where patterns having a predetermined shape are arranged at all positions corresponding to transfer printing positions on the front surface of the steering wheel rim, using computer graphics, so that the patterns can be concurrently transfer-printed at transfer printing positions, preparing transfer printing sheets for part of a rear surface where patterns of a predetermined shape are independently arranged to correspond to positions of the patterns of a predetermined shape of the transfer printing sheet for the front surface, using computer graphics, so that transfer printing can be performed without interference on the rear surface of the steering wheel rim where a steering column attachment portion protrudes, performing transfer printing on all transfer printing po

Abstract: A pattern-transferring film having a print pattern provided on an upper surface thereof is floated on a liquid surface within a transferring bath and an objective body is immersed into a liquid within the transferring bath together with the pattern transferring film under a liquid pressure so as to transfer the print pattern onto the objective body. The print pattern is obtained by being printed by using an optional printing ink or inks of blue, yellow, red black and white inks or an ink or inks prepared by blending the printing inks. The liquid pressure pattern-transferring ink or inks comprise at least a resin ingredient and a color pigment. The resin ingredient of each of the color inks is composed of a fluoropolymer resin and the color pigment of each of the color inks is an inorganic pigment.

Abstract: A transfer film (1) having a print pattern is floated on a liquid surface (12A) within a transfer bath and a transfer objective body (2) is immersed into a liquid (12) within the transfer bath together with the transfer film (1) whereby the print pattern on the transfer film (1) is transferred onto the surface of the transfer objective body (2) using a liquid pressure. The surface portion of the transfer objective body (2) on which the print pattern should be transferred is immersed under the liquid surface (12A) while the surface portion of the transfer objective body follows the transfer film (1) so as to be developed thereon in a plane manner by rolling the surface portion of the transfer objective body (2) on the transfer film (1).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for processing a monolayer film and transferring the monolayer film to a substrate are provided.

Abstract: In a transcribing method for making a steering wheel rim of an automobile using water pressure and a printed transcribing sheet having a different pattern or brightness at the left and right sides, two symmetrical printed transcribing sheets are prepared using computer graphics for fitting to the steering wheel rim. In a first transcribing step, a first sheet is transcribed using a masking method. The surface where the first transcribing is performed is cleaned and masked, and the steering wheel rim is rotated by 180°. In a second transcribing step, on the surface of the steering wheel where no transcribing has been performed, a second printed transcribing sheet is transcribed to the steering wheel rim.

Abstract: A method of forming a metallic feature on a substrate, comprising the steps of: providing a stamp having a raised region; depositing catalytic particles on a selected area of the stamp, including the raised region thereof; providing a substrate; applying the stamp to the substrate, such that the raised region of the stamp causes a corresponding indented region in the substrate and at least some of the catalytic particles are transferred to a selected area of the substrate; and plating the selected area of the substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a layer of particulates on a substrate, comprising: a) fastening a first substrate to a second substrate; b) while the first substrate is fastened to the second substrate, submerging at least a portion of the first substrate in a liquid; c) suspending particulates on an upper surface of the liquid; d) moving the submerged first substrate relative to the suspended particulates to form a layer of the particulates supported on the first substrate; and e) removing the first substrate from the second substrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transferring a colored decoration to an article by applying the decoration onto a first support, transferring the printed decoration onto a second support and then transferring the decoration to the article. To transfer the decoration, it is floated upon a liquid and the article is pressed against the floating decoration.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described to prepare monolayers of particles (or molecules) (3), realizing the steps of: injecting a liquid film (2) with particles (3) dispersed on the external surface of a rotary member (1); adjusting the surface charge density of the particles (3) by injecting adsorption reagents (10), carrying particles (3) placed on film (2) surface so that they form a substantially uniform monolayer (5); putting the monolayer (5) on the liquid film surface (2) in contact with a substrate (7); and advancing the rotary member (1) longitudinally with respect to the substrate (7), in both directions, so that the monolayer (5) is detached from the liquid film (2) and attached to the substrate (7).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for processing a monolayer film and transferring the monolayer film to a substrate are provided.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a device for measuring the surface pressure of a film formed at the interface of a liquid and gaseous phase, the device comprising a detector means and a sensor means. The detector means comprises a light source and a position-sensitive detector, the active surface of which is situated in the light beam of the light source, and the sensor means comprises a sensor which can be brought into contact with the film to be measured, and a shading means which, in correspondence with the force applied to the sensor by the film, moves in the light beam between the active surface of the detector and the light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a decoration to at least one article provides that the article is immersed through a liquid which is contained in a tank and on which the decoration floats. The apparatus has a pallet whose inclination .alpha. with respect to the horizontal plane can be adjusted using at least two height adjustable arms.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing a Langmuir-Blodgett film including a water bath having a spread region for spreading a material for forming a single molecular film on a liquid surface, a compression region for compressing the material spread by the spread region to form a single molecular film, and a lamination region for laminating the single molecular film formed by the compression region on a substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a steering wheel to which a liquid pressure transfer print is applied. In this method, by adjusting a transfer angle formed when the steering wheel is pressed onto a transfer film and selecting a part in a rim section at which the wheel begins to be brought into contact with the transfer film, a joint line of a transfer pattern is made invisible from the driver-side, and pattern-missing and pattern-distortion can be eliminated or decreased, resulting in a fine and precise liquid pressure transfer print being applied to the steering wheel. This method is characterized by that a front-face of the steering wheel is faced to the transfer film floated and advanced on a liquid-surface, the transfer angle is determined to be e.g., 30 to 45.degree., and first contact of the steering wheel with the transfer film occurs at a larger rim arc which is apart from portions where spokes are connected to the rim section, respectively.

Abstract: For applying a decoration to an article, the decoration with a supporting film is arranged on the surface of a liquid in a tank and is extended and/or condensed parallel to the surface according to requirements depending on the shape of the article to be printed. The article is immersed into the liquid in order to transfer the decoration onto the article. For the extending and/or condensing of the decoration on the surface of the liquid, nozzles are arranged below the surface of the liquid and produce flows in the water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inverting a plurality of plate-like materials to provide for the treatment of plate-like material using techniques that must be applied to the surface from a direction other than from above the material, such as from beneath the material in meniscus coating techniques. The apparatus includes a base, a back attached to the base, a top that is removably attachable to the base for retaining a cassette between the top and the base and retractable material holders attached to the base for engaging and disengaging the plate-like material. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable material holders are in the form of support blocks having notches corresponding the edges of the plate-like material that are reciprocally moved by a side actuator to enable the blocks to engage and disengage the plate-like material.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the amount of any chemical substance exhibiting a surface activity. A monomolecule film including a surface active substance exhibiting a surface activity is formed on a surface of a surface active substance solution in which the surface active substance is dissolved. Subsequently, a surface pressure of the monomolecule film is measured in order to find a concentration of the surface active substance where a content of the surface active substance is defined by the concentration of the surface active substance and the amount of the solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing marbleized surfaces is disclosed herein. The apparatus for producing the marbleized surfaces included a liquid containment vessel or bath, stretches and a wide variety of combs for use in the marbleizing process. A coloring composition is applied by floating it on the surface of the bath. One of the variety of marbling combs is swept across the surface of the bath to produce marbleized patterns. Material is then placed on the surface of the bath to transfer the marbleized patterns to the material.

Abstract: A method of using compositions and kits for preparing a marbleized coating on the surface of a sheet or object involves floating multiple color coating materials on the surface of water and dipping the sheet or object directly into this two phase liquid system. The color coating forms its own design on the water surface and does not need to be moved around. The resulting sheet or object is coated with a marbleized coating which is flexible and permanent. The water is conditioned with cream of tartar prior to carrying out the coating method.

Abstract: Solder is applied to a circuit structure 7 by dipping the structure into a bath 1 of molten solder 3, the molten solder having a layer of oil 5 on top. The structure is dipped into the bath by rotating it along a path that is substantially coplanar with the circuit structure. This is achieved by supporting the structure on a carrier 9 which in turn is attached to a motor shaft 11.

Abstract: Structures having anodized aluminum surfaces are coated with corrosion blocking fatty acid coatings by dipping successive portions of the structures progressively through a layer of fatty acid disposed on a liquid in a tank and into the liquid which bodily receives the structure, to achieve effective sealing coating without the use of large volumes of fatty acid.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing organic monomolecular or multilayer films continuously comprises a tank having a spreading region (S) for spreading a material to form a monomolecular film, a compression region (C) for compressing the material on the liquid surface to form the monomolecular film and a deposition region (D) where the monomolecular film is deposited on a substrate. Means is provided to cause liquid to flow continuously from the spreading region to the deposition region through the compression region. A first control means is provided to maintain the liquid level in the deposition region D at a predetermined level. A second control means is provided for regulating the surface pressure of the monomolecular film at a predetermined value. Fluid flow through the apparatus is regulated so that the thickness of the liquid flow in the region C is less than thickness of the liquid flow in the regions S and D, and a decoupling region DS is provided between the region S and the region C.

Abstract: A device for applying an evaporation-inhibiting film to an exposed liquid surface of a liquid body, which includes an impeller disposed below and coplanar with the exposed liquid surface; means for rotating said impeller; means for delivering the evaporation-inhibiting film to the exposed liquid surface at a location immediately above said impeller; and means for bringing liquid from beneath the exposed surface of the liquid body to above said impeller.

Abstract: A method of forming a monomolecular film capable of independently controlling the process of forming a monomolecular film and the process of removing a part of the monomolecular film which has not been used in monomolecular film formation. The method includes, in addition to spreading a material for forming a monomolecular film onto a water surface, compressing the material on the water surface thereby transforming the material into a monomolecular film, and transferring the monomolecular film on the water surface onto a substrate, storing in a first region a part of the monomolecular film which has not been transferred to the substrate. The first region is located at a distance from a second region for preparing the monomolecular film with respect to a third region for transferring part of the film to the substrate, and has a water level lower than that of the third region.

Abstract: A method for the production of a decorative laminate finish is disclosed. A relatively minor amount of lacquer colorant is applied to the surface of an aqueous bath. After partially drying the colorant to a flexible film, a substrate is contacted with the film and the resulting laminate is separated from the bath.

Abstract: In order to continuously produce an ultrathin, ordered layer of amphiphilic molecules on the surface of a polar liquid a directed flow of the polar liquid is produced in a duct which contains the amphiphilic molecules in dissolved or undissolved form on the surface in spread form. In the duct, a duct section having a relatively high flow rate on the surface and comprising a ramp which is arranged at the bottom of the duct and washed over by the polar liquid is provided. This is followed by a duct section having a relatively low flow rate on the surface, in which the flow is dammed up at an obstacle at a liquid level constant with time, so that an ultrathin, ordered layer of amphiphilic molecules is continuously formed in these duct sections at the polar liquid/air interface by compression of the flow. The washed over ramp is movable.

Abstract: A method of forming an organic thin film includes developing organic molecules having a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion on a water surface, and compressing the organic molecules thereby to form a monomolecular layer of a predetermined surface pressure. The monomolecular layer is brought into contact with a given substrate. Then, the substrate to which the monomolecular layer is adhered, is pulled at such a rate that the surface pressure is not substantially lowered, thus transferring the monomolecular layer onto the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing refractory material filaments comprises an enclosure (11), means for heating the constituents of the refractory material, non-contacting means to support a drop (17) of molten material such as silicon, being one of the constituents of the refractory material within the enclosure and means to transport a filament (10) such as carbon, being a second constituent of the refractory material, through the drop of molten material in use. A levitation coil and/or an inert gas jet is used to support the drop of molten material and a silica glass or other refractory tube (13) is used to direct the gas jet. The enclosure has opposed side arms (15, 16) respectively for entry and exit of the filament (10) or the filament may be passed vertically through the molten silicon drop. An inclined side tube may be provided through which grains of silicon may be introduced into the enclosure for addition to the molten drop.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing monomolecular films or monomolecular built-up films includes: a trough for accommodating a liquid over the surface of which a monomolecular film is to be spread; a barrier band for defining a region in the trough over which the monomolecular film is allowed to be spread; and a plurality of supports for holding the barrier band within the trough, the supports being arranged at positions where they do not interfere with the surface of the liquid, wherein the loss of the monomolecular film material can be substantially reduced. Further, no local collapse of the molecular film occurs in the vicinity of the supports, thereby making it possible to always provide a uniform LB film.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for continuously producing a monomolecular film at a liquid-gas interface in a trough, by means of a barrier element rotating horizontally around a vertical shaft, which barrier moves the film from a film formation compartment through a connection zone to a deposition compartment to be deposited onto a substrate. On the opposite side of the barrier with respect to the rotational direction of the barrier element, more film forming substance is added to the liquid surface for forming a new film, which in turn is transferred by a rotating barrier element at a suitable surface pressure to elastically join the first mentioned film as an extension to the same. The invention also concerns a trough apparatus for continuously producing films.