JPH10500057A - Precise coating method for preparing polymerizable films - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A method for applying a polymerizable fluid substantially free of a solvent to the surface of a substrate, the method comprising: Passing the fluid through a die over the surface. The die includes a channel adapted to receive a fluid, and an adjustable width slot in communication with the channel through which the fluid passes, which has a substantially straight sharp edge downstream of the substrate. , And a land on the upstream side of the substrate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Precise coating method for preparing polymerizable films Field of the invention   The present invention relates to a coating method for preparing a polymerizable film. Description of related technology   Bead coating methods for applying a fluid to a substrate are known. According to this method The coating fluid is fed to a die through a metering pump, which A coating fluid on the surface of a moving substrate as it passes through it. You. Upstream die lip, downstream die lip when paint fluid leaves die And form a continuous paint bead between the webs. When the substrate is moving, As it moves past the bead and forms a coating fluid layer on the substrate. Be sent. To improve the bead stability (and thus the unevenness of the coating) A vacuum in the vacuum chamber upstream of the paint bead Can be applied. Summary of the Invention   In general, the present invention relates to an essentially solvent-free (ie, 100% solids) polymerizable stream. A method of applying the surface of a substrate with a body, wherein the substrate moves relative to a die. By passing paint fluid through a die over the surface of the substrate when It is characterized by the following.   The die is a channel adapted to receive fluid, and the fluid passes through Includes an adjustable width slot in communication with the channel. Slot downstream Formed between bar 66 and upstream bar 64 It is. The downstream bar lip is formed as a sharp edge 70, and the upstream bar lip is Formed as a land 68, which is substantially the immediate area of the paint fluid application ate area) corresponding to the shape of the substrate. As used herein , "Upstream" and "downstream" are relative to the direction of the moving substrate.   In a preferred embodiment, the edge radius of the sharp edge (as described in FIG. 3) is about 10 mm. Less than cron, and more preferably in the range of about 2 to about 4 microns. Sharp Edge angle A of the corner edge (as described in FIG. 3)₁Is preferably from about 20 ° to about 75 ° And preferably from about 50 ° to about 60 °.   Die convergence C (as described in FIG. 3) is preferably between about 0 ° and It is about 2.29 °, more preferably about 0 ° to about 1.5 °.   The sharp edge and the land are preferably such that the sharp edge is not on the substrate surface side with respect to the land. It has a shape like that. The degree of deviation is referred to as "overbiting" O You. Preferably, the overbite is no more than about 0.64 mm.   The sharp edges are substantially straight. For example, at a distance of about 25mm on any of the sharp edges Along the edge, the straightness of the edge changes only less than about 2.5 microns, and preferably 1 micron or less.   The velocity of the fluid passing through the die and the velocity of the substrate moving relative to the die Adjusted to provide a substantially uniform thickness coating thereon.   The viscosity of the paint fluid is preferably at least about 10 cps and up to 100 cps. Or more, or even 1000 cps or more. The method can be adjusted so that both thin and thick films can be applied. Application In the meantime, if desired, A vacuum may be applied upstream of the die to improve quality. Substrate is web Can be   The present invention provides a solvent-free coating of uniform thickness in both the transverse and longitudinal directions of the web. Can be prepared. Both thick and thin films can be prepared. Book The invention is useful in a variety of settings, including the preparation of optical quality thin films and adhesive films. is there.   Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description of the preferred embodiments and the claims. It will be clear from the box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES   The present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following drawings.   FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the extrusion die of the present invention.   FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the slot and lip of the die of FIG.   FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a slot and a lip similar to FIG.   FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another vacuum chamber arrangement.   FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of yet another vacuum chamber arrangement.   FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another extrusion die of the present invention.   7A and 7B show the slot, face and vacuum chamber of the die of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view.   8A and 8B are schematic diagrams of the die of FIG. Description of the preferred embodiment   The present invention is directed to a die coating for applying a polymerizable fluid onto a substrate (eg, a web). The die as the upstream die lip and land formed as sharp edges Including the formed downstream die lip. The land shape is in the immediate area of the coating fluid application Substantially corresponds to the shape of the substrate. The shape of the substrate can be flat or bent. May be .   FIG. 1 shows an extrusion die including a vacuum chamber 42 useful in the coating method according to the present invention. It shows b. The polymerizable fluid 44 is transferred by a transfer roll supported by a backup roll 50. It is supplied by a pump 46 to a die 40 for application to a moving substrate 48. polymerization The anaerobic fluid 44 is dispensed through a slot 56 and applied onto a moving substrate 48. Is supplied from a channel 52 to a manifold 54 for use. Slot 56 height The width and width can be controlled by means of a U-shaped shim 41. The shim is usually brass Is made from stainless steel.   As shown in FIG. 2, polymerizable fluid 44 passes through slot 56 and under land 68. A continuous paint film bead is formed between the flow edge 72, the lip of the downstream bar 66 and the substrate 48. You. A vacuum chamber 42 (FIG. 1) is located above the beads to stabilize the paint bead. Apply vacuum to the flow side. If desired, both die 40 and backup roll 50 Can be controlled to improve the rheology of the coating.   The polymerizable fluid can be one of a number of compositions. Polymerization is heat induced, Alternatively, electromagnetic radiation (eg, ultraviolet light or electron radiation) may be used. Proper polymerization Examples of ionic fluids include epoxy, acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl ether, Includes socyanates and mixtures thereof. The resulting coatings can be used in a variety of applications Useful for adhesives, optical high quality films (eg, polymer dispersed liquid crystals) Or PDLC films and optical adhesives), precision thickness films and vibration damping materials. The films are particularly useful in applications requiring thin films of uniform thickness control.   The lip of the upstream bar 64 is formed as a curved land 68 and the downstream bar The lip 66 is formed as a sharp edge 70. The sharp edges 70 are clean and have notches and Should not be jagged, rim Is a straight line within 1 micron with a length of 25cm measured at any point along Should. The edge radius should be less than 10 microns. Radius of curved land 68 Is the minimum and fine for the radius of the backup roll 50 plus the coating height and substrate thickness Not a 0.13mm allowance.   FIG. 3 shows the dimensions of the geometric operating parameters for monolayer extrusion. Above upstream bar 64 Length L of curved land 68₁Can range from 1.6 mm to 25.4 mm. Like New length L₁Is 12.7 mm. Edge angle A of downstream bar 66₁Is between 20 ° and 75 ° And preferably between 50 ° and 60 °. Downstream bar 66 of paint slot 56 On the surface of the substrate 48, which is parallel to the surface and parallel to the sharp edge 70, and directly facing Angle A between the tangent plane P passing through the line_TwoCan be between 60 ° and 120 ° And preferably between 90 ° and 95 °. Paint gap G₁Is the sharp edge 70 and the base material 48 And the distance.   The slot height H is the distance between the upstream bar 64 and the downstream bar 66, and It can be controlled by controlling the thickness (shown in FIG. 1). Generally, the slot Heights range from 0.076mm to 1.27mm.   The overbite O is located downstream from the downstream edge 72 of the curved land 68 on the upstream bar 64. This is the position of the sharp edge 70 of the side bar 66 in the direction of the base material 48. The overbite is Predetermined paint gap G₁On the other hand, the curved land 68 from the substrate 48 to the sharp edge 70 It can also be seen as a depression in the downstream edge 72. Overbite is 0mm ~ 0.64mm Range, and the settings at the opposite ends of the die slot may be 2.5 Should be within cron.   Convergence C is a distance away from a position parallel to substrate 48, as shown in FIG. It is a counterclockwise positional relationship of the curved land 68, and the downstream edge 72 is the center of rotation. . Convergence is between 0 ° and 2.29 ° And the settings at the opposite ends of the die slots should be within 0.023 ° of each other. is there.   Overbite, slot height and convergence, together, Affects the ability of the paint die to maintain the load. Interaction of these variables Depends on the rheology of the polymerizable coating, and thus, along with the substrate speed, these variables. The number is adjusted based on the particular polymerizable coating used.   Optimal coating quality is achieved when the die coater is exposed to vibration and / or other disturbances. Achieved when isolated from the source.   The vacuum chamber 42 as shown in FIG. 4 enables accurate circulating vacuum gas flow. Parts that are integral with or secured to the upstream bar 64 so that Can be. The vacuum chamber 42 is formed using a vacuum bar 74, and Connected to a vacuum source channel 80 via a restrictor 76 and a vacuum manifold 78. Can be. As shown in FIG. 4, the curved land 82 is directly connected to the upstream bar 64. Installed. The vacuum land 82 has the same radius of curvature as the curved land 68. The curved land 68 and the vacuum land 82 are finish polished together so that they are parallel to each other. Can be The vacuum land 82 and the curved land 68 are then Have the same convergence.   Vacuum land gap G_TwoIs the distance between the vacuum land 82 and the substrate 48, and Paint gap G₁By convergence C of overbite and curved land Is the sum of the resulting displacements. Vacuum land gap G_TwoIs large, Excess ambient air flow into chamber 42 occurs. When the vacuum source is in the vacuum chamber 42 Even with sufficient capacity to supplement and maintain a particular vacuum pressure level, air Inflow may have undesirable effects.   In FIG. 5, the vacuum land 82 is part of the vacuum bar 74, which is the upstream bar 64 Attached to. During manufacture, curved lands 68 are convergence "polished" Finished with. The vacuum bar 74 is then attached and the vacuum land 82 is finish polished using a different polishing center, thereby providing a vacuum land 82 Is parallel to the substrate 48 and the vacuum land gap G_TwoIs a certain predetermined The bar gap value, paint gap G₁be equivalent to. Vacuum land length L_TwoIs 6.35 mm to 25.4 mm. Preferred L_TwoThe length is 12.7mm. this The embodiment has a larger overall size in difficult application situations compared to the embodiment of FIG. It has a coating capacity but is always polished for certain operating conditions. Conclusion As a result, paint gap G₁Or when the overbite O is changed, Gap G_TwoMay deviate from its optimal value.   6, 7A and 7B, the die 40 is attached to the upstream bar positioner 84. And the vacuum bar 74 is attached to a vacuum bar positioner 86 . The curved land 68 on the vacuum bar 64 and the vacuum land 82 on the vacuum bar 74 are directly Not connected. The vacuum chamber 42 is connected via a vacuum bar 74 and a positioner 86. Connected to a vacuum source. Mounting and positioning for vacuum bar 74 is upstream It is separate from the mounting and positioning for the bar 64. Flexible vacuum seal strip Tap 88 seals between upstream bar 64 and vacuum bar 74.   Gap G between vacuum land 82 and substrate 48_TwoIs paint gap G₁, Oberba Unaffected by changes in site or convergence and during application Subsequently, the optimal value can be maintained. Vacuum land gap G_TwoIs 0.076mm It can be set to a range of 0.50.508 mm. Gap G_TwoIs a preferable value of 0.15 mm. true Sky run The preferred angular position relative to the base is parallel to the substrate 48.   FIGS. 8A and 8B show one positioning and vacuum chamber closure system. Over The adjustment OA of the cutting tool is interpreted as the downstream bar 66 relative to the upstream vacuum bar 64, Thus, the sharp edge 70 moves back and forth in the direction of the base material 48 with respect to the downstream edge 72 of the curved land 68. . The convergence control CA rotates the upstream bar 64 and the downstream bar 66, and As a result, the curved land 68 moves counterclockwise from the position of FIGS. 8A and 8B, Move away from parallel to the substrate or move clockwise and return parallel. paint Gap Adjustment CGA is an upstream side for changing the distance between sharp edge 70 and substrate 48. Interpreted as a combination of bar 64 and downstream bar 66, during which the vacuum bar Station 86 and vacuum seal strip 88 is Bend to prevent leaks. The air leak into the vacuum chamber 42 at the end of the die Minimized by an end plate 90 attached to the end of the vacuum bar 74, which is The ends of the outlet bars 64 overlap. Vacuum bar 74 is 0.10 higher than upstream bar 64 mm to 0.15 mm longer, so in the center, between each end plate 90 and the upstream bar 64 Will have a clearance in the range of 0.050mm to 0.075mm.   The width of the paint obtained by a given die depends on a) the die cavity manifold 54 and And a molded plug to reduce the width of the vacuum chamber 42 to the deck ring width, And b) simultaneously insert a shim having a shim slot width corresponding to the deck ring width Where indicated by the "deck ring" of the die and vacuum chamber. It is reduced by filtration.   During the application, as a result of the construction of the die 40, the bead 58 is Even in the space between the curved land 68 and the moving substrate 48 so that it can be evaluated. It turned out that it did not enter. This means Allows the use of relatively high vacuum. In addition, good results even without vacuum Is obtained. Furthermore, “runout” in the backup roll 50 is down. The effect on web paint weight is reduced.   (a) Carefully control the rate at which the polymerizable composition is transported to the die (pump speed In combination with (b) careful control of the substrate speed, and The above die structure has a uniform thickness of the coating in both the web longitudinal and transverse directions. Achieve the membrane.   In applications where the optical appearance of the product is important, contamination from airborne particles can be It can be reduced by application of the substrate in a room environment.   The present invention can be more fully understood with reference to the following examples. Would. The examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. An example Test procedure A   The electro-optical response of the PDLC device is Kepco 125-1KVA-3T output source, Dyn-Optics Optical Monitor 590 and Valhalla Scientific 2300 Series Digital Power Analyzer Computer controlled test stand consisting of an IBM personal computer connected to It is characterized by using Daylight filter light positive at about 6 ° half angle of convergence Adjust optical properties of Dyn-Optics so that transmission is measured against an open beam did.   Above a sample of a PDLC film / electrode sandwich measuring a few square centimeters Output source using connectors as described in the Engfer et al. Attached to the lead wire. 60 Hz voltage ranging from 0 to 120 volts AC (VAC) in 5 VAC increments Add to the sample with The transmission was recorded. Test procedure B   Output-supplied (120VAC, 60Hz) PDLC device fog The measurement was performed using a Pacific Scientific Gardner XL-835 colorimeter according to the instructions. Examples 1 to 6   A series of adhesives were applied to a 0, such as described in U.S. Pat.No. 4,330,590 (Vesley). .04% by weight of a photoinitiator, 2-phenyl-2,2'-dimethoxyacetophenone (KB-1, (Sartomer, West Chester, PA). Prepolymer consisting of a mixture of acrylic acid (Aldrich, Milwaukee, WI) at 10% by weight Prepared from syrup. The above patent specification is incorporated herein by reference. You. By partially photopolymerizing the syrup and changing the exposure time, the viscosity 360, 195 0 and 5600 cps (Brookfield viscometer with # 4 spindle running at 60 rpm Used and measured).   After the syrup had the indicated viscosity, an additional 0.1% by weight of KB-1 photoinitiator and 0.2% Weight percent hexanediol diacrylate (Sartomer, West Chester, PA) And the mixture was stirred until a homogeneous fluid was obtained. The obtained fluid , Filed at the same time as the precision application die and the present application on the substrate with the thickness shown in Table 1, Vesley et al. Of the same applicant as the present application entitled "Lamination method of coating film" PC International Application No. Number (agent number 50777PCT7A) Coating was carried out using a coating device.   During application, the first substrate is removed from the first unwind roll and free-rotating non- Heated steel backup roll Passes 25.4cm (10inch) diameter, where precision Transported to a precision coating die using a gear pump (available from Zenith Corp.) 10 of prepolymer syrup A .2 cm (4 inch) wide strip is placed in a vacuum chamber on the first surface of the first substrate. The coating was performed using a 10.2 cm (4 inch) die without applying air. In Examples 1-4, FIG. A coating die similar to the one shown in the example above has a 0.50 mm (20 mil) shim, 0 ° Jens, 0.076mm (3mil) over bite, 12.7mm paint land L₁, 12.7mm Vacuum land L_Two, And a 90 degree die attack angle. In Examples 5 and 6, An 8 inch wide strip of prepolymer syrup was used in Examples 1-4. It was applied to the first surface of the first substrate using a 20.3 cm (8 inch) width die similar to It comes in the form of a 0.048mm (19mil) shim and a 0.254mm (10mil) overbite there were. The paint gap, as well as the pump speed and substrate speed, are as shown in Table 1. Adjustment produced a coating of the indicated thickness. No vacuum applied during coating operation Was.   The second substrate is taken out of the second unwinding roll and the sintered metal of 2.54 cm (1 inch) diameter is removed. Pass around the laminator bar, where Veseley et al. Was laminated on the paint surface of the first base material according to the procedure described in (1). Laminator bar The backing roll or other material at the lamination point Do not touch the idler or take-up roll of The first substrate, which is about 12 cm (4.7 inches) in flow and is uncoated, The first substrate regulates when passing between the backup roll and the idler roll. The position was such that it was recessed about 3.8 mm (150 mil) below the defined plane. This The degree of depression is also called "interference". Air passing through sintered metal bar Pressure (about 2.1 bar) is a cushion of air between the laminator bar and the second substrate Adjusted to provide.   The thus-prepared uncured laminate structure is subjected to fluorescent black light lamination. Under the bank of a pump (F20T12-350BL, available from Osram Sylvania, Danvers, MA) Was cured by passing through the structure. 300nm laminated structure UV with glass filter that responds between ~ 400nm and has maximum transmission at 365nm IRAD irradiator (Model number UR365CH3, Electronic Instrumentation and Technology , Inc., Sterling, VA)^TwoExposed to radiation. Curing zo The average light intensity at about 2.3 mW / cm^TwoMet. Dispensing speed at end of dispensing line Adjusted by a vacuum pull roll applied and maintained at about 5.5 m / min (11 ft / min) .   Table 1 shows typical coating variations for various coating thicknesses and viscosities. Example 5 And the cured adhesive of 6 polyester when peeling the laminate structure Adhered to. The adhesive and shear properties of the cured polymer syrups of Examples 5-6 are US Properties obtained from similar formulations cured under the conditions described in Patent No. 4,330,590 Matched. Example 7   PDLC devices were obtained with (a) no initiator and less than 50% thiol 30.0% by weight of RCC-15C curable matrix mixture (W.R.Grace, Atlanta, GA) 7.5% by weight of lylic acid, 30.0% by weight of isooctyl acrylate, 2-phenoxyethyl alcohol 15.0% by weight of acrylate (Sartomer, West Chester, PA), triethylene glycol Divinyl ether (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ) 15.0% by weight 55 parts of a mixture consisting of 2.5% by weight of KB-1 and KB-1 initiator, and (b) 42 cps at 60 rpm Solution viscosity (measured with a Brookfield viscometer using a # 3 spindle) Fluid containing 45 parts of BL036 liquid crystal mixture (EM Industries, Hawthrone, NY) Prepared. The fluid degassed under vacuum at ambient temperature for about 2 minutes is applied to the ITO-coated Stell film (90/10 indium / tin oxide ratio, 80 ohm / square, 51 micron (2mil) PET, Southwall Technologies, Palo Alto, CA) Examples 1 to 6 except that the same 88.9 cm die as illustrated in 7a was used. Using a precision application method, at a speed of about 152.4 cm / min (5 ft / min), a 15.2 cm (6 in.) (Approx. Width). This die produces narrower coatings And a 152 micron shim, 12.7 mm long (L₁) Coating land, 12.7 mm length (L_Two), 0.57 ° convergence , 33 micron over bite, 0.152mm vacuum land gap G_Two, 95 ° Ear attack angle A_Two, And 102 micron paint gap G₁Had a shape with . The convergence of the vacuum bar is 0 ° and the vacuum chamber during application No vacuum was applied. Both die and backup roll at 21 ° C Temperature controlled. Maintain the sintered metal bar at a pressure of 1.7 bar during lamination , And lamination bar to provide 3.6mm interference Adjusted.   One bank is located on each side of the laminate and the fluorescent black light (F20T12-350BL , Osram Sylvania, Danvers, MA). On the side, a UV-transparent Acrylite ™ OP-4 (Cyro Ind. ustries, Mt. Arlington, NJ) The uncured laminate structure was cured by passing through the sheet structure. cooling The temperature of the air in the chamber is controlled by a thermoelectric installed in the chamber below the second fluorescent bulb. Monitors in pairs and controls to indicated temperature by introducing temperature-controlled air did. A glass filter that responds to 300 to 400 nm and has the maximum transmittance at 365 nm Equipped UVIBRITE irradiometer (model number UBM365MO, Electronic Instrumentation  and Technology, Inc., Sterling, VA). 1.1mW / cm measured through the conductive electrode^TwoApproximately 530mJ / cm, calculated from the light intensity of^TwoIrradiation Then, each side of the laminate structure was exposed. The illuminometer is specially read at absolute intensity Had been calibrated.   The backup roll 50 is a Torquer Tachometer precision motor (Inland Motor Divi sion, Bradford, VA).   The cured film thickness of the obtained PDLC film was 24 ± 1 μm. PDLC equipment Has on- and off-state transmission of 73.1% and 1.2%, respectively, and 5.8% Had a haze. Example 8   A PDLC device was prepared as described in Example 7, but the coating fluid had the following composition: (a ) Vectometer 2020 (Allied-Signal, Inc., Morristown , NJ) 20.0% by weight, acrylic acid 5.0% by weight, isooctyl acrylate 25.0% by weight %, 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate 15.0% by weight, trimethylolpropanetri (3-mercaptopropionate) (Aldrich, Milwaukee, WI), cyclohexane Dimethanol divinyl ether (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ 50 parts of a mixture consisting of 22.5% by weight and 2.5% by weight of Escacure KB-1 and (b)  BL036 50 parts of liquid crystal mixture. The viscosity of the paint fluid was 134 cps (operating at 60 rpm # 3 A Brookfield viscometer using a spindle). Paint temperature is 21 ℃ And during the lamination, an air pressure of 2.4 bar is applied to the laminator bar. And it was adjusted to provide 3.8 mm interference. Using the precision dispensing method described in Example 7, ITO at a speed of about 152.4 cm / min (5 ft / min)  Apply a fluid of 15.2 cm (6 inch) width to the electrode surface of the applied polyester film. The die was coated as a 46 micron overbite, 102 micron The shape of the material gap, and 1.9 mmHg (1 inch H_TwoO) Apply the solution at a vacuum of 22 ° C. Used to cloth. 1.0mW / cm^TwoAbout 530mJ / cm^Two, To expose each side The film was cured at 21 ° C. to produce a PDLC film having a thickness of 23 ± 1 μm.   PDLC devices have on- and off-state transmission of 71.9% and 1.1%, respectively. And had a haze of 4.8%. Example 9   A PDLC device was prepared as described in Example 7, but the fluid was 500 parts of the BL036 liquid crystal mixture. And 2.5% by weight of Esacure KB-1 photoinitiator, 7.5% by weight of acrylic acid, isooctane Cyl acrylate 30.0% by weight, 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate Uralac 3004-10 2 (DSM Resins, U.S. Inc., Elgin, IL) 15.0% by weight and Uralac 3004-300 (DSM R esins, U.S. Inc., Elgin, IL) containing 333 parts of a mixture having a composition of 30.0% by weight. It is. 88.9 cm wide die has 88.9 cm wide slot, 43 micron overbite, 24.5 mm land gap G_TwoAnd apply a vacuum of 1.9 mmHg. During which time it was applied to the vacuum chamber. ITO-coated polyester used just for the electrodes The film was about 130 microns (5 mil) thick. 3.4 Bar air pressure Maintained at the minator bar, as it provides 6.35mm interference Was adjusted to. The obtained laminate is heated at about 23 ° C. to about 1.68 mW / cm^TwoHas an average intensity of Exposure to UV light produced a PDLC film approximately 18 microns thick.   PDLC devices provide 73.4% and 1.7% on- and off-state transmission, respectively. And had a haze of 5.3%. Example 10   A PDLC device was prepared as described in Example 7, except that (a) lauryl methacrylate (Rho m Tech, Inc., Malden, MA) 13.7% by weight, methacrylic acid (Aldrich, Milwaukee, WI) RCC-15C (W.R Grace, Atlanta, GA) obtained at 3.9% by weight, without initiator. 57.5 parts of a mixture consisting of 4% by weight and 2% by weight of photoinitiator KB-1 and (b) B L036 A fluid containing 42.5 parts of a liquid crystal mixture having a solution viscosity of 210 cps (60 rp (measured with a Brookfield viscometer using a # 4 spindle operating at Used. The die is a 152 mm shim with a slot width of 88.9 cm, a 76 micron paint gap. And a shape with a 51 micron overbite. Paint 0.91 At a substrate speed of 3 m / min (3 ft / min), the uncured The matrix was applied as an 88.9 cm wide strip. 3.7mmHg (2 inchH_TwoO) A vacuum was applied to the vacuum chamber. During lamination, a 3.8 mm Interference was used. 1.7mW / cm laminated structure^TwoThe average intensity of UV light having 330mJ / cm^TwoExposure.   The cured coating thickness was 21 ± 0.6 microns. 74% for each PDLC device And 2.7% on- and off-state transmittance and 4.5% haze Was. Example 11   A PDLC device was prepared as described in Example 7, but (a) 2.5% by weight of KB-1 photoinitiator, 94% 60 Allyl aliphatic urethane (Monomer & Polymer & Dajac, Trevose, PA) 20.0% by weight  35.0% by weight of isooctyl acrylate, 7.5% by weight of acrylic acid, 2-phenoxy Consists of 20% by weight of ethyl acrylate and 15.0% by weight of Uralac 3004-102 A fluid containing 45 parts of the mixture and (b) 55 parts of the (BL036) liquid crystal mixture, which is 64 cps. Liquid viscosity (measured with a Brookfield viscometer using a # 3 spindle operating at 60 rpm Was used. The die has an 88.9cm slot width and 30 microns With overbite of ITO and paint on ITO-coated PET substrate Applying 2.8 mmHg vacuum to the vacuum chamber at 20 ° C at a speed of 3 m / min. . Maintain an air pressure of 3.4 bar with the lamination bar, which is 3.8 mm -Adjusted to provide fairness. 1.6mW / cm for laminated structure^Twoof UV light with average intensity 303 mJ / cm^TwoExposure.   The thickness of the cured coating was 17.4 ± 0.6 microns. PDLC equipment is 70.0 each % And 0.8% on- and off-state transmittance and 8.6% haze. I had. Example 12   An adhesive composition was prepared as described in Example 5, but the prepolymer syrup was Contains 90% by weight of sooctyl acrylate, 10% by weight of acrylic acid and KB-1 photoinitiator 430 cps viscosity (using a # 4 spindle with operation at 60 rpm) Measured with a Brookfield viscometer), and additional KB-1 photoinitiator 0.1 Weight% Was used as the coating fluid. Die is 0.25mm shim, 76 microns over The shape was with a bite and a paint gap of 76 microns. Second base material for coating 1.2mW / cm without^TwoExposure to UV light with an average intensity of -N for syrup_TwoHardened under atmosphere, pressure sensitive welding with thickness of 21.5 ± 0.5 microns An adhesive was produced.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventors Mayer, Gary W.             United States, Minnesota 55133-3427,             St. Paul, Post Office Bo             Box 33427 (No address) (72) Inventors Leonard, William K.             United States, Minnesota 55133-3427,             St. Paul, Post Office Bo             Box 33427 (No address) (72) Inventors Willy and Bradley Earl.             United States, Minnesota 55133-3427,             St. Paul, Post Office Bo             Box 33427 (No address)

Claims (1)

[Claims]   1. A method of applying a polymerizable fluid essentially free of a solvent to the surface of a substrate, ,   When the substrate is moving relative to the die, the surface of the substrate is passed through the die. Sending said fluid over a surface,   The die has a channel adapted to receive the fluid and a fluid therethrough. Having an adjustable width slot in communication with the channel; The slot is formed between the downstream bar and the upstream bar, and Has a die lip formed as a sharp edge, and the upstream bar is In the region immediately before the application of the coating fluid to the material, the shape substantially corresponds to the shape of the base material. Having a die lip formed as a land of different shapes.   2. In order to produce a coating of substantially uniform thickness on the substrate, the fluid is Adjusting the speed at which the substrate passes through the die and the speed at which the substrate moves relative to the die. The method of claim 1, further comprising:   3. The sharp edge is moved relative to the land in a direction toward the surface of the substrate. 2. The arrangement of claim 1 including the configuration of the sharp edge and the land. The method described.   4. Along the sharp edge, measured at any point along a distance of about 25 cm The straightness of the defined sharp edge does not change to about 2.5 microns or more; The method of claim 1, comprising providing the sharp edge substantially straight.   5. The method of claim 1 wherein said land is provided in the form of a curved land. .   6. Before having a convergence in the range of about 0 ° to about 2.29 ° The method of claim 1, comprising providing the die.   7. The method of claim 1 including providing the substrate in the form of a web. Law.   8. Providing a polymerizable fluid having a viscosity of at least 10 cps. The method of claim 1.   9. A method of applying a polymerizable fluid substantially free of a solvent to a surface of a substrate, , (A) passing the die over the surface of the substrate while the substrate is moving relative to the die; Passing the fluid through   Wherein the die has a channel adapted to receive the fluid and the die An adjustable width slot in communication with the channel through which fluid passes The slot has a substantially straight acute edge upstream of the substrate and a downstream edge of the substrate. Between the land and (B) prior to producing a coating of substantially uniform thickness on the substrate, Adjusting the speed at which the substrate passes through the die and the speed at which the substrate moves relative to the die. Process, A method that includes