Laminate from which decorative films can be applied to a substrate

• US 6,984,429 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2002
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Thunhorst, Kristin L., Pitzen, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAY, LINDA LAMEY
• Application Number:
  US10/279,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20030041961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 428/40.1, 428/40.2, 428/41.2, 428/41.6, 428/41.7, 428/41.8, 428/41.9, 428/42.1, 428/343, 428/354, 428/201, 428/202, 428/203, 428/914
• US Class Current: 428/41.8
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/472 said single elements being substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/1725 using an intermediate support
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/1745 using an intermediate support
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/1758 Decalcomanias applied under pressure only, e.g. provided with a pressure sensitive layer
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2555/30 Multi-axis
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0013 and applying the article or the web by adhesive to a surface B65H35/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 37/002 Web delivery apparatus, the web serving as support for articles, material or another web
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/914 Transfer or decalcomania
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1089 of discrete laminae to single face of additional lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1405 Capsule or particulate matter containing [e.g., sphere, flake, microballoon, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1448 Coloring agent containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1467 Coloring agent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1471 Protective layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1476 Release layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1481 Dissimilar adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24851 Intermediate layer is discontinuous or differential
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2486 with outer strippable or release layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24868 : Translucent outer layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/28 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2848 : Three or more layers

Abstract

A laminate from which decorative films can be precisely applied to a substrate. The laminate includes a polymeric cover sheet having opposite outer and inner major surfaces. A layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive is adhered to the inner major surface of the cover sheet. The structured pressure sensitive adhesive has a plurality of spaced passageways extending to at least one edge of the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A decorative film is adhered to the structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is adhered to the major surfaces of the decorative film opposite the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A release liner extends substantially across the second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and a portion of the structured pressure sensitive adhesive.

Claims

1. A laminate from which decorative films can be precisely applied to a substrate, the laminate comprising:

a polymeric cover sheet having opposite outer and inner major surfaces and being free of passageways between said major surfaces;

a layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive having opposite major surfaces and edges extending between said major surfaces, one of said major surfaces of said layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive being adhered to the inner major surface of the cover sheet, said layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive having a plurality of spaced passage ways extending to at least one edge of the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive;

one or more pieces of a decorative film having opposite major surfaces with one of the major surfaces of the decorative film being adhered to the major surface of the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive opposite said cover sheet;

a second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive coextensive only with each of the pieces of decorative film having opposite major surfaces with one of the major surfaces of the second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive adhered to the major surface of the decorative film opposite the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive; and

a release liner extending substantially across the major surface of the second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive opposite the decorative film and a portion of the major surface of the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive opposite the cover sheet.

2. The laminate of claim 1 wherein the structured pressure sensitive adhesive is adapted to be made wet during application of the decorative film to a substrate with a liquid that lubricates the adhesives so that the decorative film can be applied to a substrate at a precise position.

3. The laminate of claim 1 wherein said layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive has about 3 to about 71 passageways per centimeter measured along the major surfaces of said layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive.

4. The laminate of claim 1 wherein the passageways have widths of about 50 micrometers to about 200 micrometers.

5. The laminate of claim 1 wherein the passageways have heights in the range of about 15 micrometers to about 45 micrometers.

6. The laminate of claim 1 wherein the passageways are in one of a regular pattern or an irregular pattern.

7. The laminate of claim 1 wherein the passageways are in one of a rectangular grid of passageways, a diamond grid of passageways, or a plurality of parallel passageways.

8. The laminate of claim 1 wherein the decorative film comprises an optical film with light-diffusing features that provide a beveled or v-groove cut glass appearance when adhered to a glass panel.

9. The laminate of claim 1 wherein the structured pressure sensitive adhesive is selected to form a bond to the decorative film that permits the release liner to be peeled away without disrupting that bond and to permit the cover sheet to be peeled cleanly from the decorative film without disrupting the adhesive bond between the decorative film and a substrate.

10. The laminate of claim 1 wherein the cover sheet comprises an opaque material.

11. A laminate adapted for use to decorate a substrate comprising:

a layer of pre-mask material comprising a cover layer having opposite major surfaces and being free of passageways between said major surfaces, and a layer of removable structured pressure sensitive adhesive having opposite major surfaces and edges extending between said major surfaces, one of said major surfaces of said layer of removable structured pressure sensitive adhesive being firmly adhered to one of said major surfaces of the cover layer, said layer of removable structured pressure sensitive adhesive having passageways extending to at least one edge of the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive;

one or more display lengths of a decorative film, the display lengths each comprising opposite first and second major surfaces and a layer of adhesive along the second major surface, the first major surface of the decorative film being adhered to the major surface of the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive opposite the cover layer; and

a release liner extending across the major surface opposite the decorative film of the layer of adhesive on the second major surface of the decorative film and across a portion of the major surface of the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive opposite the cover layer.