Microstructured surface film assembly for liquid acquisition and transport

• US 6,531,206 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2001
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Johnston, Raymond P., Huntley, Douglas A., Mortenson, Sara B., Castiglione, Stephanie B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Loney, Donald J.
• Application Number:
  US09/778,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20020146540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 428/50, 428/95, 428/137, 428/166, 428/167, 428/172, 428/343, 428/354, 428/188, 523/90, 523/91
• US Class Current: 428/172
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0056 using evaporative effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53708 the layer having a promotional function on liquid propagation in at least one direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53778 with grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53782 with holes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 1/00 Evaporating evaporation in general, e.g. of liquids for gas phase reactions B01B1/005 ; removal of incrustation B08B; preparation of starch C08B30/00; sugar industry C13; prevention of incrustation C23F; drying solid materials or objects by evaporating liquids therefrom F26
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/30 characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/02 Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of webs E04F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/02161 Floor elements with grooved main surface
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/10 of other materials, e.g. fibrous or chipped materials, organic plastics, magnesite tiles, hardboard , or with a top layer of other materials
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 5/00 Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, using the cooling effect of natural or forced evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/18 by applying coatings, e.g. radiation-absorbing, radiation-reflecting; by surface treatment, e.g. polishing
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 17/005 Means for draining condensates from heat exchangers, e.g. from evaporators F28B9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2245/02 hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2245/04 hydrophobic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1039 Surface deformation only of sandwich or lamina [e.g., embossed panels]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1064 Partial cutting [e.g., grooving or incising]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/23979 Particular backing structure or composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24562 Interlaminar spaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2457 Parallel ribs and/or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24587 Oblique to longitudinal axis of web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24612 : Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24744 : Longitudinal or transverse tubular cavity or cell

Abstract

A film or tape has one of its major surfaces defined by microstructured features including a plurality of channels defined by spaced apart protrusions. The microstructured film is able to acquire liquids and to control the directional transport of such liquids for subsequent removal therefrom. The transport can be passive or active (i.e., caused or enhanced by an applied potential). The inventive microstructured films and tapes have applications in laminate floor assemblies (for spill removal) and industrial articles such as computer keyboards and other devices and assemblies that benefit from fluid removal. The invention also has application in evaporative and condensation applications. In one embodiment, at least one cross-channel is formed on the microstructured surface to join adjacent channels for liquid flow therebetween.

Claims

1. A laminate floor assembly comprising:

a liquid control layer having a top side and a bottom side, the top side having a microstructure-bearing surface with a plurality of channels thereon that facilitate directional flow control of a liquid disposed thereon;

a floor substrate layer;

means for attaching the bottom side of the liquid control layer to the floor substrate layer;

a cap layer having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side of the cap layer being placed over the top side of the liquid control layer to define a relatively enclosed channel structure therebetween; and

means for moving liquid along the channel structure defined between the top side of the liquid control layer and the bottom side of the cap layer.

2. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the channels have first and second channel ends, and wherein the moving means withdraws the liquid from the channels adjacent the first channel end.

3. The laminate floor assembly of claim 2 wherein the moving means creates a potential which causes the liquid to move toward the first channel end for withdrawal.

4. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap layer comprises:

a floor covering.

5. The laminate floor assembly of claim 4 wherein the floor covering is selected from the group consisting of carpet, tile, linoleum, wood, concrete, metal or fatigue matting.

6. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the channels are defined by generally parallel ridges including a first set of ridges having a first height and a second set of ridges having a second, taller height.

7. The laminate floor assembly of claim 6 wherein an upper portion of each ridge of the second set of ridges has a lower melting temperature than a lower portion thereof.

8. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the liquid control layer is a polymeric film.

9. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the microstructure-bearing surface of the liquid control layer has a characteristic-altering coating thereon.

10. The laminate floor assembly of claim 8 wherein the polymeric film includes a characteristic altering additive.

11. The laminate floor assembly of claim 10 wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of flame retardants, hydrophobics, hydrophylics, antimicrobial agents, inorganics, metallic particles, glass fibers, fillers, clays and nanoparticles.

12. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the channels have a pattern geometry selected from the group consisting of linear, curvilinear, radial, parallel, non-parallel, random, or intersecting.

13. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the cap layer is porous.

14. The laminate floor assembly of claim 13 wherein the cap layer is a non-woven.

15. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the bottom side of the cap layer is affixed to the top side of the liquid control layer by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

16. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the attaching means is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

17. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the moving means creates a pressure gradient along the channel structure.

18. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the top side of the liquid control layer has at least one cross-channel formed therein to facilitate liquid flow between the channels.

19. The laminate floor assembly of claim 18 wherein the liquid control layer has a liquid removal aperture therethrough which is in communication with the cross-channel and the moving means.

20. The laminate floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the top side of the liquid control layer has a plurality of cross-channels formed therein to facilitate liquid flow between the channels, and wherein the liquid control layer has a plurality of liquid removal apertures therethrough with each liquid moving aperture being in communication with one of the cross-channels and the moving means.