STRETCH FRAME FOR STRETCHING PROCESS

• US 20150096666A1
• Filed: 06/18/2013
• Published: 04/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parker Intangibles LLC (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Inventors: Yoo, Mikyong, Mousavi Nazari, Hooman, Quan, Xina
• Granted Patent: US 9,761,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/160
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2037/243 Coating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2038/0028 Stretching, elongating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/12 characterised by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/24 with at least one layer not being coherent before laminating, e.g. made up from granular material sprinkled onto a substrate B32B37/15 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/0012 Mechanical treatment, e.g. roughening, deforming, stretching
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 17/005 using a piezoelectric polymer
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/08 Shaping or machining of piezoelectric or electrostrictive bodies
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/098 Forming organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/1051 based on piezoelectric or electrostrictive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/857 Macromolecular compositions
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/886 Additional mechanical prestressing means, e.g. springs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/28 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2826 Synthetic resin or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2839 with release or antistick coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/287 including epoxy group or epoxy polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2878 including addition polymer from unsaturated monomer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2891 including addition polymer from alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acid [e.g., acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, etc.] Or derivative thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2896 including nitrogen containing condensation polymer [e.g., polyurethane, polyisocyanate, etc.]

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a frame and a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to at least a portion of the frame, where the pressure sensitive adhesive is arranged to bond a pre-strained film to the frame is disclosed. A method of making the apparatus also is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a stretch frame for manufacturing electroactive polymer devices thereon.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a frame; and

an adhesive applied to at least a portion of the frame, wherein the adhesive is arranged to bond a pre-strained film to the frame.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a material selected from the group consisting essentially of silicones, fluorosilicones, acrylates, polyurethanes, olefins, hydrocarbon rubbers, styrenic copolymers, epoxies, hot-melt adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, thermal curing adhesives, UV curing adhesives, liquid adhesives, and any combinations thereof.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a release coating applied to at least a portion of the frame, wherein the adhesive is applied on top of the release coating.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the release coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting essentially of epoxy silicone, fluoropolymer, fluorosilicone, polymer, and polytetrafluoroethylene, mold release, and any combinations thereof.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an adhesion promoter, coupling agent, solvent, or etchant to improve the adhesion of release coating to the frame.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adhesion promoter comprises a silicone based primer.

8. A method of fabricating a polymer film device, the method comprising:

providing the apparatus according to claim 1;

providing a film;

stretching the film; and

laminating or bonding the pre-strained film onto the adhesive coating of the frame.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising manufacturing the electroactive polymer device on the pre-strained film.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising removing the electroactive polymer devices from the pre-strained film bonded to the frame by the adhesive.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising incorporating at least a portion of the frame into the electroactive polymer device.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising applying a release coating onto at least a portion of the frame and applying the adhesive coating on top of the release coating.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising applying an adhesion promoter to at least a portion of the stretch frame prior to applying the release coating thereon.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising reusing the stretch frame by removing at least a portion of the pre-strained film from the release coating.

15. A method of making a stretch frame, the method comprising:

providing a frame; and

applying a pressure sensitive adhesive on at least a portion of the frame.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising applying a release coating on at least a portion of the frame prior to applying the pressure sensitive adhesive thereon.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising applying an adhesion promoter on at least a portion of the frame prior to applying the release coating thereon.