CPC B32B 37/12 (2013.01) [B32B 7/12 (2013.01); B32B 15/08 (2013.01); B32B 27/08 (2013.01); B32B 37/0053 (2013.01); B32B 37/04 (2013.01); B32B 37/06 (2013.01); B32B 37/08 (2013.01); B32B 37/203 (2013.01); B32B 2310/0825 (2013.01); B32B 2398/20 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
1. A method for adhesively bonding a flexible film to a substrate, comprising:
providing a flexible first substrate film having a first surface and an opposing second surface;
providing a cooling roller having a cooling surface, the roller rotation defining a process direction;
providing a heating element spaced from the cooling surface;
moving the flexible film in a process direction;
cooling the flexible film second surface by contact with the cooling roller surface while the flexible film it is moving in the process direction;
heating the flexible film first surface to a softened state while the flexible film second surface is in contact with the cooling roller and the flexible film is moving in the process direction;
providing a second substrate having a bonding surface;
applying an adhesive to at least a portion of the second substrate bonding surface;
disposing the flexible film heated first surface adjacent the adhesive and the second substrate bonding surface so that the adhesive is between the flexible film heated first surface and the second substrate bonding surface; and
applying pressure using a press roller rotating in a direction counter to the cooling roller rotation to force the flexible film heated first surface into contact with the adhesive and the second substrate bonding surface;
wherein the flexible film is initially only cooled and subsequently both cooled on the second surface and heated on the first surface as it moves in the process direction.
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