Methods and kits for attaching articles to surfaces

• US 7,985,313 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Katarzyna Wyrozebski
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, DANIEL H.
• Application Number:
  US12/943,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20110061790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 258 Days
• Field of Search: 156/160, 156/256, 156/247, 292/835
• US Class Current: 156/160
• 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 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, and,

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;

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, 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. The method of claim 1 wherein the deflectable spacer is a polymeric molded material.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein when the spacer is in an undeflected condition the spacer prevents the double-faced adhesive from contacting the mounting surface.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the method comprises providing multiple deflectable spacers arranged on the article;

and wherein when the spacers are in an undeflected condition the spacers collectively prevent the double-faced adhesive from contacting the mounting surface, but when the spacers are in a deflected condition, the spacers allow contact between the double-faced adhesive and the mounting surface.