Patent Description:
Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) are adhesives that can be adhered to a surface and yet can be removed from the surface without transferring more than trace quantities of adhesive to the surface, and can be readhered to the same or another surface because the adhesive retains some or all of its tack and adhesive strength. PSA has a variety of uses. For example, various articles in the medical industry may utilize PSA (e.g., medical sensors, printed circuits, etc.).

PSA may be produced (e.g., printed) on substrates via screen printing techniques. However, current screen printing techniques for PSA are difficult to implement and present a number of challenges. For example, the solvent utilized in the PSA presents environmental health and safety (EHS) concerns. The solvent has extremely strong odors that may cause operators nausea and headaches. In addition, the solvent changes its behavior (e.g., becomes thicker) during the printing process due to solvent evaporation affecting the printing quality. Solvent evaporation also causes PSA to build up on the screen which leads to scrapping of material and having to clean the screen often. Further, the cleaning of the stencil utilized in printing requires the same solvents, thus, raising the same EHS concerns. Even further, after screen printing, air bubbles may form due to these materials which may require letting the printing parts sit to reduce air bubbles. Therefore, there is a need for an alternative method to apply this material that reduces EHS concerns and scrapping of material while improving production continuity.

<CIT> is directed to an automatic gluing system comprising a lifting device, wherein the top end of the lifting device is provided with a coating device which is connected with a storage tank through a glue conveying pipeline. The document <CIT> also discloses a system suitable to apply adhesive to a substrate.

Aspects of the present invention are defined in the accompanying independent claims.

These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible embodiments. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In one embodiment, a system for printing PSA on a substrate is provided as it is defined in claim <NUM>.

In another embodiment, a method for printing PSA on a substrate is provided as it is defined in claim <NUM>.

In a further embodiment, a system for printing PSA on a substrate is provided. The system includes a rigid support structure having a handle. The system also includes a robotic system coupled to the rigid support structure via the handle, wherein the robotic system is configured to move the rigid support structure to a desired position for depositing PSA solution on the substrate and to apply pressure to the rigid support structure for depositing the PSA solution. The system further includes a plurality of dispensing heads disposed within the rigid support structure and configured to deposit the PSA solution on the substrate in response to applied pressure, wherein each dispensing head of the plurality of dispensing heads includes a feed conduit. The system even further includes a programmed feeding system coupled to a respective feed conduit of each dispensing head, wherein the programmed feeding system is configured to provide the PSA solution to each respective feed conduit for deposition of the PSA solution.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present subject matter, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Furthermore, any numerical examples in the following discussion are intended to be nonlimiting, and thus additional numerical values, ranges, and percentages are within the scope of the disclosed embodiments.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for dispensing PSA (e.g., liquid PSA) onto a flat substrate. In particular, a dispensing system includes a dispensing tool including a rigid support structure having a plurality of dispensing heads that will dispense or deposit PSA solution onto to flat substrate when pressure is applied. A programmable closed feeding system is coupled to the dispensing heads. In addition, a robotic handling/positioning system is coupled to the rigid support structure that controls movement/positioning of the rigid support structure and associated dispensing heads during the printing of the PSA onto the substrate. The dispensing system is easily automated via the programmable closed feeding system and the robotic handling/positioning system to enable large scale or high throughput production. Each dispensing head includes a support structure and a wicking structure (e.g., porous membrane or sponge) disposed within the support structure. The wicking structure enables the holding of the PSA solution in place without dripping when uncapped. When not being utilized, the dispensing heads may be capped to keep solvent from evaporating. The wicking structure enables the PSA to be deposited in desired shape upon instantaneous contact with the substrate (e.g., via a stamping action) without the need of PSA solution being continuously provided to the wicking structure for dispensing the PSA. The dispensing system functions similar to a screen printing system and a needle dispensing system without their associated drawbacks (e.g., cost, maintenance, throughput level, etc.). The dispensing system as configured minimizes solvent evaporation (as well as EHS concerns) and material consumption or scrapping. In addition, the dispensing system reduces production cycle time.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a dispensing system <NUM> for printing PSA on a substrate. The dispensing system <NUM> functions similar to a screen printing system but at lower cost with less maintenance. In addition, the dispensing system <NUM> is easier to clean. The dispensing system <NUM> functions similar to a needle dispensing system as well but with improved throughput. In particular, the dispensing system <NUM> stamps the PSA onto a flat substrate (e.g. polyester, polycarbonate, polyolefin, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, poly paper, polyamide, polyimide, polysulfone, etc.) in a high throughput manner.

The dispensing system <NUM> includes a dispensing tool <NUM> that includes a rigid support structure <NUM> (defined with one or more walls). The rigid support structure <NUM> includes a plurality of dispensing heads <NUM> disposed within the rigid support structure <NUM> for dispensing or depositing PSA solution onto the substrate in response to applied pressure. The number of dispensing heads <NUM> within the rigid support structure <NUM> could range from <NUM> to <NUM> or more dispensing heads <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the dispensing system <NUM> may include more than one rigid support structure <NUM> with respective dispensing heads <NUM>.

As described in greater detail below, each dispensing head <NUM> includes a support structure (e.g., defined by walls of the rigid support structure and/or other walls) and a wicking structure disposed within the support structure. The wicking structure may be a porous membrane or sponge. The wicking structure holds the PSA solution in place without dripping when the dispensing head <NUM> is uncapped. In particular, the wicking structure holds the PSA solution in place (e.g., due to the viscosity of the PSA solution) unless pressure is applied. The wicking structure may include controlled pore sizes to control liquid flow. In certain embodiments, an end of the dispensing head <NUM> adjacent the wicking structure may be open to enable direct contact between the wicking structure and substrate for dispensing the PSA solution onto the substrate. The wicking structure enables the PSA to be deposited in desired shape upon instantaneous contact with the substrate (e.g., via a stamping action) without the need of PSA solution being continuously provided to the wicking structure for dispensing the PSA. In certain embodiments, the end of the dispensing head <NUM> adjacent the wicking layer may be covered with a porous layer including pores or holes for dispensing the PSA solution onto the substrate in a controlled manner with a controlled volume (e.g., similar to needle dispensing) in a desired pattern. In certain embodiments, the end of the dispensing head <NUM> adjacent the wicking structure, a portion of a porous layer adjacent the wicking layer, and/or the wicking structure is similar in shape to the shape of the printed PSA.

In certain embodiments, when the dispensing heads <NUM> are not being utilized to print PSA, each end of the dispensing head <NUM> adjacent the wicking structure is capped with a cap or cover to keep the PSA solution from drying up. The capping of the dispensing heads reduces solvent loss to due solvent evaporation and, thus, also reduces EHS concerns.

In certain embodiments, each dispensing head <NUM> includes a feed conduit for receiving PSA solution within the dispensing head <NUM> (which then flows to the wicking structure). The dispensing system <NUM> includes a feeding system <NUM> (e.g., closed feeding system) coupled to each respective feed conduit of the dispensing heads <NUM>. The feeding system <NUM> is programmable. Indeed, the feeding system <NUM> is coupled to a controller <NUM> that controls the operation of the feeding system <NUM> and the flow of the PSA solution to the dispensing heads <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the feeding system <NUM> may provide PSA solution to the dispensing heads <NUM> during operation. The feeding system <NUM> includes one or more cartridges <NUM> that are coupled to respective feed conduits of the dispensing heads <NUM>. The feeding system <NUM> also includes a pump <NUM> (e.g., motor driven pump) that facilitates the flow of PSA solution from a PSA supply or reservoir <NUM> to the cartridges <NUM> and then to the dispensing heads <NUM> (via the feed conduits). The closed feeding system <NUM> reduces solvent loss (e.g., due to solvent evaporation) compared to an open system utilized in screen printing (which increases a viscosity of the PSA solution leading to production consistency issues) and, thus, also reduces EHS concerns. The closed feeding system <NUM> also reduces material consumption (as well as the material lost due to scrapping) compared to screen printing. The configuration of the dispensing system <NUM> (including the closed feeding system <NUM>) minimizes air bubbles (e.g., compared to screen printing) and, thus, avoids having to let the dispensing sit resulting in a reduced production cycle time (e.g., compared to screen printing).

In certain embodiments, the rigid support structure <NUM> includes a handle enabling the movement or positioning (e.g., via manual or robotic handling) of the rigid support structure <NUM> for printing PSA on the substrate. As depicted in <FIG>, the dispensing system <NUM> includes a robotic handling/positioning system <NUM> for handling or moving the rigid support structure <NUM> to a desired position for dispensing of the PSA solution onto the substrate from the dispensing heads <NUM>. The robotic handling/positioning system <NUM> also presses (e.g., stamps) the rigid support structure <NUM> on the substrate with sufficient pressure for dispensing or depositing the PSA solution from the dispensing heads <NUM>. The robotic handling/positioning system <NUM> is coupled to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls the operation of the robotic handling/positioning system <NUM> and, thus, the handling/positioning of the rigid support structure <NUM> having the dispensing heads <NUM>.

The rigid support structure <NUM> includes one or more pressure sensors <NUM> (e.g., strain gauges, MEMS based sensors, variable capacitance pressure sensors, etc.) disposed within. The number of pressure sensors <NUM> may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more. The one or more sensors <NUM> are coupled to the controller <NUM>. The sensors <NUM> provide feedback to the controller <NUM> regarding the pressure applied between the rigid support structure <NUM> and the substrate. Based on the feedback from the sensors <NUM>, the controller <NUM> monitors and controls the pressure applied between the rigid support structure <NUM> and the substrate.

The controller <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM> (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium/memory circuitry) communicatively coupled to the processor <NUM>, storing one or more sets of instructions (e.g., processor-executable instructions) implemented to perform operations related to the dispensing system <NUM> (e.g., operations of the feeding system <NUM>, the robotic handling/positioning system <NUM>, etc.). More specifically, the memory <NUM> may include volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), optical drives, hard disc drives, or solid-state drives. Additionally, the processor <NUM> may include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more general purpose processors, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the term "processor" is not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as processors, but broadly refers to computers, processors, microcontrollers, microcomputers, programmable logic controllers, application specific integrated circuits, and other programmable circuits. The dispensing system <NUM> may include a single controller to control the various systems of the dispensing system <NUM>. In certain embodiments, each system (e.g., the feeding system <NUM>, the robotic handling/positioning system <NUM>, etc.) of the dispensing system <NUM> may include a separate controller. The dispensing system <NUM> is easily automated through the programmable feeding system <NUM> and the robotic handling/positioning system <NUM> to enable the large scale production/printing of the PSA on the substrate.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the dispensing tool <NUM> of the dispensing system <NUM> in <FIG>. The dispensing tool <NUM> includes the rigid support structure <NUM> defined by one or more walls <NUM>. The support structure <NUM> is rigid in that the structure <NUM> maintains its shape during the printing or stamping of PSA on the substrate. As depicted, the rigid support structure <NUM> includes a rectilinear shape. In certain embodiments, the shape of the rigid support structure <NUM> may vary. The dispensing tool <NUM> includes the plurality of dispensing heads <NUM> disposed within the rigid support structure <NUM>. The dispensing heads <NUM> dispense or deposit PSA solution onto the substrate in response to applied pressure. The number of dispensing heads <NUM> within the rigid support structure <NUM> could range from <NUM> to <NUM> or more dispensing heads <NUM>. The dispensing heads <NUM> extend from a top surface <NUM> to a bottom surface <NUM> of the rigid support structure <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> of the rigid support structure <NUM> directly interfaces with the substrate during the stamping or printing process.

As depicted, the dispensing tool <NUM> includes a handle <NUM> coupled to the top surface <NUM> of the rigid support structure <NUM>. The handle <NUM> enables the movement or positioning (e.g., via manual or robotic handling) of the dispensing tool <NUM> (and, thus, the rigid support structure <NUM>) for printing PSA on the substrate. A robotic handling/positioning system (e.g., robotic handling/positioning system <NUM> in <FIG>) may be coupled to the dispensing tool via the handle <NUM> to enable handling or moving the dispensing tool <NUM> to a desired position for dispensing of the PSA solution onto the substrate from the dispensing heads <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the robotic handling/position system may be coupled individual lines coupled to respective dispensing heads <NUM>. The robotic handling/positioning system also presses (e.g., stamps) the dispensing tool <NUM> on the substrate with sufficient pressure for dispensing or depositing the PSA solution from the dispensing heads <NUM>. The robotic handling/positioning system may be coupled to a controller. The controller may control the operation of the robotic handling/positioning system and, thus, the handling/positioning of the dispensing tool <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the dispensing tool <NUM> of the dispensing system <NUM> in <FIG>. The dispensing tool <NUM> in <FIG> is similar to the dispensing tool <NUM> in <FIG>. In addition, as depicted in <FIG>, the dispensing tool <NUM> includes a plurality of pressure sensors <NUM> (e.g., strain gauges, MEMS based sensors, variable capacitance pressure sensors, etc.) disposed within the rigid support structure <NUM>. The number of pressure sensors <NUM> may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more. The pressure sensors <NUM> are coupled to a controller. The sensors <NUM> provide feedback to the controller regarding the pressure applied between the rigid support structure <NUM> of the dispensing tool <NUM> and the substrate. Based on the feedback from the sensors <NUM>, the controller monitors and controls the pressure applied between the rigid support structure <NUM> and the substrate.

<FIG> is a top view of the dispensing tool <NUM> of the dispensing system <NUM> in <FIG>. The dispensing tool <NUM> in <FIG> is similar to the dispensing tool <NUM> in <FIG>. Both the number and arrangement of the dispensing heads <NUM> may vary between different dispensing tools <NUM>. The arrangement of the dispensing heads <NUM> within the rigid support structure <NUM> in <FIG> varies from the arrangement in <FIG> and <FIG>. As depicted in <FIG>, an end <NUM> of the dispensing head <NUM> may be similar in shape to the shape of the printed PSA.

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views of the dispensing head <NUM>. The dispensing head <NUM> includes a shape <NUM> defined by one or walls (e.g., internal walls) of the rigid support structure <NUM>. As depicted, the shape <NUM> has a cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, the shape <NUM> may be different. The dispensing head <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> (e.g., top end) and a second end <NUM> (e.g., bottom end). The second end <NUM> directly interfaces with the substrate during PSA printing. The dispensing head <NUM> also includes a central support structure <NUM> disposed within. As depicted, the central support structure <NUM> is a hollow cylinder having ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The end <NUM> is closed and the end <NUM> is open. In certain embodiments, the end <NUM> may be closed. As depicted, the central support structure <NUM> extends toward (but not all the way to) the first end <NUM>. The central support structure <NUM> extends all the way to the second end <NUM>. The dispensing head <NUM> further includes a wicking structure <NUM>. The wicking structure <NUM> is disposed about the central structure <NUM> to secure the wicking structure <NUM> within the dispensing head <NUM>. The wicking structure <NUM> is disposed adjacent the second end <NUM>. The wicking structure <NUM> may be a porous membrane or sponge. The wicking structure <NUM> holds the PSA solution in place without dripping when the dispensing head <NUM> is uncapped. In particular, the wicking structure <NUM> holds the PSA solution in place (e.g., due to the viscosity of the PSA solution) unless pressure is applied. The wicking structure <NUM> may include controlled pore sizes to control liquid flow. As depicted, the second end <NUM> of the dispensing head <NUM> adjacent the wicking structure <NUM> is open to enable direct contact between the wicking structure <NUM> and substrate for dispensing the PSA solution onto the substrate. The wicking structure <NUM> enables the PSA to be deposited in desired shape upon instantaneous contact with the substrate (e.g., via a stamping action) without the need of PSA solution being continuously provided to the wicking structure for dispensing the PSA. In certain embodiments, the second end <NUM> of the dispensing head <NUM> adjacent the wicking layer <NUM> may be covered with a porous layer including pores or holes for dispensing the PSA solution onto the substrate in a controlled manner with a controlled volume (e.g., similar to needle dispensing) in a desired pattern. In certain embodiments, the second end <NUM> of the dispensing head <NUM> adjacent the wicking structure <NUM>, a portion of a porous layer adjacent the wicking layer <NUM>, and/or the wicking structure <NUM> is similar in shape to the shape of the printed PSA. The first end <NUM> of the dispensing head <NUM> is closed.

When the dispensing head <NUM> is not being utilized to print PSA, the second end <NUM> of the dispensing head <NUM> adjacent the wicking structure <NUM> is capped with a cap or cover <NUM> to keep the PSA solution from drying up as indicated by arrow <NUM>. The capping of the dispensing head <NUM> reduces solvent loss to due solvent evaporation and, thus, also reduces EHS concerns.

The dispensing head <NUM> also includes a feed conduit <NUM> for receiving PSA solution within the dispensing head <NUM> (which then flows to the wicking structure <NUM>). A feeding system (e.g., closed feeding system <NUM> in <FIG>) may be coupled to the feed conduit <NUM> of the dispensing head <NUM> to provide the PSA solution.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a bottom of the wicking structure <NUM> of a dispensing head. The wicking structure <NUM> may be a porous membrane or sponge. The wicking structure <NUM> holds the PSA solution in place without dripping when the dispensing head is uncapped. In particular, the wicking structure <NUM> holds the PSA solution in place (e.g., due to the viscosity of the PSA solution) unless pressure is applied. The wicking structure <NUM> may include controlled pore sizes to control liquid flow. As depicted, a first O-ring <NUM> is disposed between the wicking structure <NUM> and the central support member <NUM>. Also, a second O-ring <NUM> is disposed about the wicking structure <NUM> that is configured to be disposed between walls (e.g., internal walls of the rigid support structure) defining the dispensing head <NUM> and the wicking structure <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cross-sectional shape of the wicking structure <NUM> is annular. In <FIG>, the cross-sectional shape of the wicking structure <NUM> includes a protrusion <NUM> extending away from an annular portion <NUM>. The cross-sectional shape of the wicking structure <NUM> may be similar in shape to the shape of the printed PSA.

<FIG> are side cross-sectional views of different dispensing heads <NUM>. Each dispensing head <NUM> in <FIG> may be defined relative to a longitudinal axis <NUM> (shown in <FIG> extending from between the ends <NUM>, <NUM>) by an axial direction <NUM>, a radial direction <NUM>, or a circumferential direction <NUM>. In addition, each dispensing head <NUM> may include a length <NUM> in the radial direction <NUM> and a length <NUM> in the axial direction <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate dispensing heads <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively. The different dispensing heads <NUM> may vary in the length <NUM> or in the length <NUM> or in both the lengths <NUM>, <NUM>. As depicted, a support structure <NUM> of each dispensing head <NUM> includes a top wall <NUM> (at the end <NUM>) and a wall <NUM> (e.g., side wall extending between the ends <NUM> and <NUM>). The wall <NUM> may be a portion of the rigid support structure. In certain embodiments, depending on the shape of the dispensing head <NUM>, multiple walls <NUM> may extend between the ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the dispensing head <NUM>. Some of the dispensing heads <NUM> (e.g., dispensing heads <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) include a bottom wall (at the end <NUM>) that includes an opening for the central support member <NUM> and the wicking structure <NUM> disposed about the wicking structure <NUM>. The ends <NUM> of the dispensing heads <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are open to directly enable a portion of the wicking structure <NUM> at the end <NUM> to directly interface with the substrate to dispense or deposit the PSA solution during printing (e.g., stamping) upon application of pressure. Some of the dispensing heads <NUM>, <NUM> include portions of the wicking structure <NUM> extend in the axial direction <NUM> past the end <NUM> of the support structure <NUM>.

Dispensing head <NUM> in <FIG> does not have the wicking structure <NUM> disposed within the support structure <NUM>. Instead, the dispensing head <NUM> has the wicking structure <NUM> disposed on the end <NUM> of the support structure <NUM>. As an alternative to wicking structure <NUM>, a porous layer <NUM> may be disposed on the end <NUM> of the support structure <NUM>. The porous layer <NUM> includes pores or holes for dispensing the PSA solution onto the substrate in a controlled manner with a controlled volume (e.g., similar to needle dispensing) in a desired pattern. The porous layer <NUM> may be a porous membrane, metal layer with pores, metal mesh, or a plastic mesh. The porous layer <NUM> is affixed to the end <NUM> of the support structure <NUM> via fasteners <NUM>. Fasteners <NUM> may include glue or other adhesive. Fasteners <NUM> may include screws, nails, or bolts made of a metal (e.g., stainless steel) or plastic. In certain embodiments, the porous layer <NUM> may be directly printed (e.g., via 3D printing) on the end <NUM>. In certain embodiments, as depicted with the dispensing head <NUM> in <FIG>, a porous layer <NUM> may be affixed to the end <NUM> of the support structure <NUM> to hold the wicking structure <NUM> in place. In addition, the porous layer <NUM> includes pores or holes <NUM> for dispensing the PSA solution onto the substrate in a controlled manner with a controlled volume (e.g., similar to needle dispensing) in a desired pattern. The porous layer <NUM> may be a porous membrane, metal layer with pores, metal mesh, or a plastic mesh. As noted above, in certain embodiments, the end <NUM> of the dispensing head <NUM> adjacent the wicking structure <NUM>, a portion of a porous layer adjacent the wicking layer <NUM> (e.g., arrangement of the pores), and/or the wicking structure <NUM> is similar in shape to the shape of the printed PSA.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a method <NUM> for printing PSA on a substrate. One or more steps of the method <NUM> may be performed by one or more components of the dispensing system <NUM> in <FIG>. One or more steps of the method <NUM> may be performed simultaneously or in a different order from that shown in <FIG>. In certain embodiments, the method <NUM> includes uncapping the dispensing heads (block <NUM>). Uncapping the dispensing heads includes removing caps or covers from the ends of the dispensing heads that directly interface with the substrate during printing. Uncapping may occur when the dispensing heads have not been utilized for a given amount of time and the dispensing heads were capped to avoid solvent evaporation.

The method <NUM> also includes flowing a PSA solution into the dispensing heads (block <NUM>). For example, PSA solution may be provided via a programmable closed feeding system (as described above in <FIG>) to the respective feed conduits of each dispensing head (which then flows to the wicking structure).

The method <NUM> further includes positioning the dispensing tool (e.g., the rigid support structure) relative to the substrate for printing PSA (block <NUM>). The method <NUM> even further includes, once the dispensing tool is properly positioned, applying pressure on the rigid support structure to dispense or dispose (e.g., via stamping) the PSA solution onto the substrate upon instantaneous contact with the substrate (block <NUM>). The handling/positioning and application of pressure on the dispensing tool may be handled by a robotic handling/positioning system (e.g., robotic handling/positioning system <NUM> in <FIG>) coupled to the dispensing tool as described above.

In certain embodiments, the method <NUM> includes monitoring the applied pressure on the dispensing tool (block <NUM>). The dispensing tool includes one or more pressure sensors disposed within the rigid support structure that provide feedback to a controller as to an amount of pressure applied on the dispensing tool during the stamping operation. The method <NUM> may also include, when needed, altering the applied pressure on the dispensing tool based on the feedback received from the pressure sensors (block <NUM>). Thus, the monitoring of the applied pressure enables the regulation of the applied pressure.

Upon completing the stamping operation, the method <NUM> includes stopping the flow of PSA solution to the dispensing heads (block <NUM>). In certain embodiments, when the dispensing heads may not be utilized within a given time, the method <NUM> includes capping or recapping the dispensing heads with their respective or covers to avoid solvent evaporation (block <NUM>).

Technical effects of the disclosed embodiments include providing a dispensing system that is easily automated via a programmable closed feeding system and a robotic handling/positioning system to enable large scale or high throughput production. In addition, the disclosed dispensing system enables easier cleaning compared to other PSA production techniques. Further, the disclosed dispensing system minimizes solvent evaporation and its associated EHS concerns. The disclosed dispensing system also minimizes material consumption or scrapping. In addition, the disclosed dispensing system reduces production cycle time (e.g., by minimizing introduction of air bubbles into the system. The disclosed dispensing system functions similar to a screen printing system and a needle dispensing system without their associated drawbacks (e.g., cost, maintenance, throughput level, etc.).

Claim 1:
A system for printing pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) on a substrate, comprising:
a rigid support structure (<NUM>); and
a plurality of dispensing heads (<NUM>) disposed within the rigid support structure (<NUM>) and configured to deposit PSA solution on the substrate in response to applied pressure, wherein each dispensing head (<NUM>) of the plurality of dispensing heads (<NUM>) comprises:
a support structure (<NUM>); and
a wicking structure (<NUM>) disposed within the support structure (<NUM>) and configured to hold the PSA solution, wherein the wicking structure (<NUM>) is configured to deposit the PSA solution in a desired shape on the substrate upon contact with the substrate;
the system is characterised in that it further comprises at least one pressure sensor (<NUM>) disposed within the rigid support structure (<NUM>) and a controller (<NUM>) coupled to the at least one pressure sensor (<NUM>), wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to control an amount of pressure applied by the rigid support structure (<NUM>) on the substrate based on feedback from the at least one pressure sensor (<NUM>).