Method of simulating a clear-coat and color-matching articles

• US 6,995,843 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2003
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Franck, Gerald R., Janssen, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Zandra V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GEISEL, KARA E
• Application Number:
  US10/379,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20040065411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 356/421, 427/208.4, 434/98, 434/105
• US Class Current: 356/421
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/06 produced by transmitted light, e.g. transparencies, imitations of glass paintings
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/08 characterised by colour effects
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/463 Colour matching
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/52 using colour charts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/528 using colour harmony theory
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1486 Ornamental, decorative, pattern, or indicia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2486 with outer strippable or release layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24901 including coloring matter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24942 including components having same physical characteristic in differing degree
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2848 Three or more layers

Abstract

A method of simulating a clear coat applied over a color coat for use in color-matching is described. The method comprising the steps of (a) providing a spray-out card having a first major surface and second major surface; (b) applying a color coat to the first major surface of the spray-out card to form a color coat layer; (c) providing a clear coat simulation film comprising a transparent base film and a pressure sensitive adhesive; and (d) adhering the transparent base film of the clear coat simulation film to the color coat layer with the pressure sensitive adhesive to form a color-matching article. Color-matching article produced in accordance with the method are also described.

Claims

1. A method for simulating a clear coat applied over a color coat for use in color-matching a color coat formulation to the color of a motor vehicle to be painted, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a spray-out card having a first major surface and second major surface;

(b) applying a color coat to the first major surface of the spray-out card to form a color coat layer;

(c) providing a clear coat simulation film comprising a transparent base film and a pressure sensitive adhesive wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive has a stress relaxation value that ranges from about 15% to about 100%;

(d) adhering the transparent base film of the clear coat simulation film to the color coat layer with the pressure sensitive adhesive to form a color-matching article;

(e) visually comparing the color-matching article with the motor vehicle to be painted.

2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of:

drying the color coat layer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transparent base film is polyester or biaxially oriented polypropylene.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transparent base film has a percent haze that is less than about 0.5%.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive has a percent haze that is less than about 0.5%.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is a removable pressure sensitive adhesive.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transparent base film has a Δ

a* of less than about 0.25 and a Δ

b* of less than about 0.25.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the spray-out card further includes a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the second major surface of the spray-out card.

9. The method of claim 8, further including the step of:

adhering the spray-out card to a motor vehicle with the pressure sensitive adhesive.

10. A color-matching article produced by the method of claim 1.