METHODS AND ASSEMBLIES FOR ATTACHING ARTICLES TO SURFACES

• US 20090294034A1
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Thompson, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,854,817 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/196
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2301/308 the adhesive tape or sheet losing adhesive strength when being stretched, e.g. stretch adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 5/00 Adhesive processes in general; Adhesive processes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. relating to primers
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/10 without carriers
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 11/006 by gluing gluing of plastics material B29C65/48
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1002 with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1062 Prior to assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53996 by deforming

Abstract

Herein are disclosed methods and assemblies for mounting an article to a surface by a double-faced adhesive. At least one spacer is used that is deflectable upon the application of sufficient force. When in a first, undeflected condition, the spacer provides sufficient space between the mounting surface and the double-faced adhesive such that the double-faced adhesive does not contact the mounting surface, thus the position of the article can be adjusted. When in a second, deflected condition, the spacer allows the double-faced adhesive to contact the mounting surface such that a bond can be established between the double-faced adhesive and the mounting surface.

Claims

1. A method of attaching an article to a mounting surface, the method comprising:

providing an article comprising,

at least one double-faced adhesive bonded to the article, and,

at least one deflectable spacer arranged on the article;

arranging the article such that at least a portion of the deflectable spacer contacts the mounting surface;

positioning the article in a desired location on the mounting surface; and

,

moving the article toward the mounting surface such that the spacer is deflected into a deflected condition that allows contact between the double-faced adhesive and the mounting surface, and such that the double-faced adhesive contacts the mounting surface and adhesively bonds thereto.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the deflecting of the spacer comprises compressing at least a portion of the spacer.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the deflecting of the spacer comprises removing the spacer from the article.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the deflecting of the spacer comprises breaking the spacer into at least two pieces.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the deflectable spacer is adhesively attached to the article.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the deflectable spacer is mechanically attached to a mounting plate that is connected to the article.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the deflectable spacer comprises at least a main body and at least two protruding portions connected thereto, each protruding portion comprising an undercut feature that contacts the mounting plate of the article;

and, wherein the deflecting of the spacer into a deflected condition comprises applying force to the spacer so as to move the protruding portions so as to release the undercut features from the mounting plate such that the deflectable spacer is removed from the mounting plate.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the deflectable spacer comprises at least a main body and at least two protruding portions each connected thereto by a joint that comprises a line of weakness, each protruding portion comprising an undercut feature that contacts the mounting plate of the article;

and, wherein the deflecting of the spacer into a deflected condition comprises applying force to the spacer so as to break the joints so as to allow the protruding portions to move so as to release the undercut features from the mounting plate such that the deflectable spacer is removed from the mounting plate.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the double-faced adhesive comprises a stretch release adhesive.

10. An assembly for attaching an article to a mounting surface, comprising:

an article comprising at least one bonding surface;

at least one double-faced adhesive with first and second oppositely-facing major adhesive surfaces, with the first major adhesive surface being adhesively bonded to the bonding surface of the article;

at least one deflectable spacer arranged on the article;

wherein the spacer is deflectable at least from a first, undeflected condition to a second, deflected condition,

wherein when the spacer is in the first, undeflected condition at least a portion of the deflectable spacer extends outward from the article past the second major adhesive surface of the double-faced adhesive, and

wherein when the spacer is in the second, deflected condition, no portion of the deflectable spacer extends outward from the article past the second major adhesive surface of the double-faced adhesive.

11. The article of claim 10 wherein the deflectable spacer is chosen from the group consisting of a compressible foam, a compressible nonwoven, a compressible coiled spring, and a compressible leaf spring.

12. The article of claim 10 wherein the deflectable spacer is a removable clip that when in its first, undeflected condition is mechanically attached to the article.

13. The article of claim 10 wherein the deflectable spacer is a breakable clip that when in its first, undeflected condition is mechanically attached to the article.

14. The article of claim 13 wherein the deflectable spacer comprises a molded polymeric material that comprises at least one line of weakness.

15. The article of claim 10 wherein the article comprises at least one mounting plate connected thereto and comprising the bonding surface of the article, wherein the piece of double-faced adhesive is attached to the bonding surface of the mounting plate, and, wherein when in the first, undeflected condition, the deflectable spacer is attached to the mounting plate.

16. The article of claim 10 wherein the double-faced adhesive is a stretch release adhesive.

17. A kit for attaching an article to a mounting surface, comprising:

at least one double-faced adhesive; and

,

at least one polymeric molded deflectable spacer comprising at least a main body and at least two protruding portions connected thereto, each protruding portion comprising an undercut feature.

18. The kit of claim 17 wherein the polymeric molded deflectable spacer is adapted to mechanically attach to a mounting plate of an article;

and, wherein the deflecting of the spacer into a deflected condition comprises applying force to the spacer so as to move the protruding portions so as to release the undercut features from the mounting plate such that the deflectable spacer is removed from the mounting plate.

19. The kit of claim 17 wherein each protruding portion is connected to the main body of the deflectable spacer by a joint that comprises a line of weakness.

20. The kit of claim 19 wherein the polymeric molded deflectable spacer is adapted to mechanically attach to a mounting plate of an article;

and, wherein the deflecting of the spacer into a deflected condition comprises applying force to the spacer so as to break the joints so as to allow the protruding portions to move so as to release the undercut features from the mounting plate such that the deflectable spacer is removed from the mounting plate.

21. The kit of claim 17 wherein the double-faced adhesive is a stretch release adhesive.