Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A fluoropolymeric film comprising at least one fluoropolymer-containing layer formed by (a) preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising a fluoropolymer; (b) dipping a carrier belt through the dispersion such that a coating of the dispersion is formed on the carrier belt; (c) passing the coated carrier belt through a metering device to remove excess dispersion; (d) drying the metered coated carrier belt to remove the water from the dispersion; (e) heating the dried coated carrier belt to a temperature sufficient to consolidate the dispersion; (f) cooling the consolidated coated carrier belt; and (g) stripping the consolidated fluoropolymeric film from the carrier belt, wherein the carrier belt is formed from a material of low thermal mass having chemical and dimensional stability at the consolidiation temperature of the dispersion and a work of adhesion that does not exceed the yield strength of the consolidated fluoroplymeric film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A fluoropolymeric film comprising at least one fluoropolymer-containing layer formed by (a) preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising a fluoropolymer; (b) dipping a carrier belt through the dispersion such that a coating of the dispersion is formed on the carrier belt; (c) passing the coated carrier belt through a metering device to remove excess dispersion; (d) drying the metered coated carrier belt to remove the water from the dispersion; (e) heating the dried coated carrier belt to a temperature sufficient to consolidate the dispersion; (f) cooling the consolidated coated carrier belt; and (g) stripping the consolidated fluoropolymeric film from the carrier belt, wherein the carrier belt is formed from a material of low thermal mass having chemical and dimensional stability at the consolidiation temperature of the dispersion and a work of adhesion that does not exceed the yield strength of the consolidated fluoroplymeric film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fluoropolymeric film according to claim 1, wherein the fluoropolymer is selected from the group consisting of fluorine-containing homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of tetrahaloethylenes, vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, perfluoroalkyl vinyl ethers, ethylene and propylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fluoropolymeric film according to claim 1, wherein the film comprises a plurality of fluoropolymer-containing layers formed by successively repeating steps (a) through (f) and then stripping the consolidated multilayer film from the carrier belt.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for preparation of a fluoropolymeric film on a carier, comprising: (a) preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising a fluoropolymer; (b) dipping a carrier belt through the dispersion such that a coating of the dispersion is formed on the carrier belt; (c) passing the coated carrier belt through a metering device to remove excess dispersion; (d) drying the metered coated carrier to remove the water from the dispersion; and (e) heating the dried coated carrier to a temperature sufficient to consolidate the dispersion, wherein the carrier belt is formed from a material of low thermal mass having chemical and dimensional stability at the consolidation temperature of the dispersion and a work of adhesion that does not exceed the yield strength of the consolidated fluoropolymeric film.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for preparation of a fluoropolymeric film on a carier, comprising: (a) preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising a fluoropolymer; (b) dipping a carrier belt through the dispersion such that a coating of the dispersion is formed on the carrier belt; (c) passing the coated carrier belt through a metering device to remove excess dispersion; (d) drying the metered coated carrier to remove the water from the dispersion; and (e) heating the dried coated carrier to a temperature sufficient to consolidate the dispersion, wherein the carrier belt is formed from a material of low thermal mass having chemical and dimensional stability at the consolidation temperature of the dispersion and a work of adhesion that does not exceed the yield strength of the consolidated fluoropolymeric film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the carrier belt is dipped in the dispersion at a rate of at least 10 linear feet per minute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the heating step takes less than 1.5 minutes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the aqueous dispersion further comprises a surfactant in an amount effective to facilitate wetting of the carrier belt by the aqueous dispersion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the surfactant is selected such that it is thermally or oxidatively fugitive at a temperature at or below the consolidation temperature of the dispersion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the surfactant is octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol at a concentration of about 6%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the surfactant is octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol at a concentration of about 6% together with a fluorinated ionic surfactant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the carrier is selected from among films of high melting thermoplastics, films of thermosetting plastics, coated or laminated textiles formed from a thermally stable plastic or resin and a thermally stable reinforcement, a plastic coated metal foil and metallized or metal foil laminated thermally stable plastic or resins.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the fluoropolymer is selected from the group consisting of fluorine-containing homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of tetrahaloethylenes, vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, perfluoroalkyl vinyl ethers, ethylene and propylene.