Methods and apparatus for forming a graded fade zone on a substrate and articles produced thereby
First Claim
1. A method for forming a graded coating on a surface of a substrate having a first end and a second end, comprising the steps of:
- positioning at least one first coating dispenser relative the first end of the substrate;
directing said first coating dispenser toward the substrate such that an axis extending through a delivery end of said first coating dispenser subtends a predetermined angle with the substrate; and
supplying a first coating material to said first coating dispenser such that the coating material is deposited onto the substrate to form a graduated coating on the substrate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for forming a graduated coating on a substrate includes a coating station positioned along a conveyor. The coating station includes a first coating dispenser pivotally mounted on a first support and at least one exhaust hood. The first coating dispenser is positioned such that an axis through the delivery end of the first coating dispenser subtends the substrate at a predetermined angle. A method for forming a graduated fade zone on a substrate surface includes positioning a coating dispenser adjacent one side of the substrate, angling the coating dispenser toward the other side of the substrate and supplying a coating material to the coating dispenser such that the coating material is deposited onto the substrate to form a graded fade zone on the substrate.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for forming a graded coating on a surface of a substrate having a first end and a second end, comprising the steps of:
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positioning at least one first coating dispenser relative the first end of the substrate;
directing said first coating dispenser toward the substrate such that an axis extending through a delivery end of said first coating dispenser subtends a predetermined angle with the substrate; and
supplying a first coating material to said first coating dispenser such that the coating material is deposited onto the substrate to form a graduated coating on the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of forming a graded coating on a surface of a substrate, comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of spaced coating dispensers, each coating dispenser configured to provide a spray pattern having a center on the substrate;
directing coating material through the coating dispensers; and
positioning the coating dispensers to form a plurality of overlapping coated areas on the substrate as the substrate moves relative to the coating dispensers to form a graded coating on the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29)
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16. An apparatus for forming a graded coating on a surface of a substrate, comprising:
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a supporting surface;
at least one first coating dispenser having a delivery end;
a source of coating material in flow communication with said first coating dispenser;
at least one exhaust hood mounted in a spaced, predetermined relation to said first coating dispenser; and
means for mounting said first coating dispenser relative to said supporting surface, wherein no shield is located between said first coating dispenser and said support surface, and wherein an axis extending through said delivery end subtends a predetermined angle with said supporting surface such that coating material is directed from said discharge end onto said substrate surface to form a graded coating on the substrate surface.
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23. An apparatus for forming a graded coating on a surface of a substrate, comprising:
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a tapered coating delivery slot having a first end and a second end, with a width of said delivery slot decreasing from said first end to said second end; and
at least one exhaust slot spaced from said tapered delivery slot.
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25. An apparatus for forming a graded coating on a surface of a substrate, comprising:
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a plurality of spaced coating dispensers, each configured to provide a spray pattern having a center to form a plurality of overlapping coated areas on the substrate as the substrate moves relative to said coating dispensers, wherein said coating dispensers are positioned such that a coated area formed by one coating dispenser on the substrate does not extend beyond the center of the spray pattern of an adjacent coating dispenser.
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27. An article of manufacture, comprising:
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a substrate having a surface; and
a graded coating pyrolytically deposited on the surface of the substrate, the coating having varying thicknesses along a predetermined length of the coating.
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- 30. A vehicle having a window with a coating pyrolytically deposited on a surface of the window to form a graded coating on the surface of the window.
Specification