After molding a substrate located between first and second molds of a molding system, a used release film that is in contact with the substrate during molding is removed from the molding system with a gripper assembly, which is reciprocally movable between a retracted position outside the molding system and an extended position in a space between the first and second molds when the first and second molds are opened. A carriage mechanism on which the gripper assembly is mounted moves the gripper assembly towards the first or second mold until the gripper assembly contacts the used release film, before an actuator actuates the gripper assembly to clamp onto a part of the used release film. The carriage mechanism also conveys the gripper assembly away from the first mold or second mold to remove the used release film from the molding system.

An apparatus is provided for peeling a liner away from a substrate. The apparatus comprises a first member rotatable about an axis. The apparatus also comprises a second member disposed on the first member and for generating a suction force to be applied to the liner to peel a portion of the liner away from the substrate when the suction force of the second member is applied to the liner and the first member is rotating about its axis. The apparatus further comprises a third member synchronized to rotation of the first member about its axis such that the third member clamps the peeled portion of the liner against the first member while the second member is applying suction force to the liner and the first member is rotating about its axis.

A stand-alone apparatus for cutting a web of media or tag stock into individual units for use downstream of a printer. The apparatus may cut vinyl, plastic, or RFID stock material in both back and forth directions. The apparatus comprises a housing, a carriage assembly and a movable cutter assembly. The cutter assembly is easily interchangeable and comprises a cutting element such as a wheel blade, and a pressure adjusting element for adjusting the amount of pressure applied by the cutting element to the stock material. Alternatively, the cutter assembly may be manufactured with a predetermined pressure load, but still permit an operator to adjust the depth of cut. The apparatus may be powered by and or in hardline or wireless communication with a printer, or may further comprise a computer microprocessor, memory and user interface to function wholly independent from a printer.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for removing material from a surface of a carrier. The apparatus comprises a buckling mechanism that comprises a gripper configured to engage the material. When engaged with the material, the gripper is movable relative to the surface of the carrier to move the material relative to the surface of the carrier and to form a buckle in the material. The apparatus also comprises a separation mechanism that is coupled to the buckling mechanism and comprises a wedge that is movable relative to the surface of the carrier to be insertable into the buckle formed in the material.

A coextruded biaxially oriented composite film comprising a polyester substrate layer and disposed on one or both surfaces thereof a strippable sacrificial layer, wherein said strippable sacrificial layer comprises an ethylene-methacrylic acid (EMAA) copolymer.

A combination printer and cutting device for printing upon and cutting a web of media or tag stock into individual units. The device may cut vinyl, plastic, or RFID stock material as it moves through the printer in both back and forth directions. The device comprises a printer and a cutting apparatus that is further comprised of a carriage assembly and a movable cutter assembly. The cutter assembly is easily interchangeable and comprises a cutting element such as a wheel blade, and a pressure adjusting element for adjusting the amount of pressure applied by the cutting element to the stock material. Alternatively, the cutter assembly may be manufactured with a predetermined pressure load, but still permit an operator to adjust the depth of cut. The cutting apparatus is adaptable for use with both new and existing printers.

Soft-imprint alignment processes for patterning liquid crystal polymer layers via contact with a reusable alignment template are described herein. An example soft-imprint alignment process includes contacting a liquid crystal polymer layer with a reusable alignment template that has a desired surface alignment pattern such that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal polymer are aligned to the surface alignment pattern via chemical, steric, or other intermolecular interaction. The patterned liquid crystal polymer layer may then be polymerized and separated from the reusable alignment template. The process can be repeated many times. The reusable alignment template may include a photo-alignment layer that does not comprise surface relief structures that correspond to the surface alignment pattern and a release layer above this photo-alignment layer. A reusable alignment template and methods of fabricating the same are also disclosed.

A method for producing a device substrate by obtaining a laminate comprising a carrier substrate with a first polyimide film disposed on at least one surface of the carrier substrate, a second polyimide film disposed on the first polyimide film, applying a physical stimulus to the second polyimide film without causing chemical changes in the first polyimide film such that the adhesive strength of the first polyimide to the second polyimide film decreases and separating the second polyimide film from the first polyimide film formed on the carrier substrate to obtain the device.

Devices, methods and systems disclosed herein relate to the application of a protective film on a surface of an electronic device that instantly reduces air bubbles and eliminates the waiting time usually required when using a wet fluid solution. In one embodiment, a roller device may include a carriage or housing and one or more rollers coupled or integrated with the housing, configured to apply a protective material to a surface of the electronic device in a first orientation, and configured to function as a device stand in a second orientation. In addition or alternatively, a roller guide apparatus and/or a wedge may be utilized to assist the roller device in applying the protective material to the surface of the electronic device.

Transfer of nanoscale elements from a substrate on which they were manufactured or transferred to a flexible sheet may be performed by local and progressive deformation of the flexible sheet over the surface of the substrate to attach and lift the nanoscale elements from the substrate with controlled inter-element registration.