Applique

• US 8,715,824 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2004
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Rawlings, Diane C., Keough, Bruce K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Seidleck, James J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Salamon, Peter A
• Application Number:
  US10/941,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20050181203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,520 Days
• Field of Search: 428/423.1, 428/423.5, 428/423.7, 428/457, 428/458, 428/461, 428/425.8, 428/425.9, 428/337, 428/460, 244/1, 315/36, 317/2, 317/262, 174/2
• US Class Current: 428/337
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/14 by plasma treatment plasma tubes per se H01J
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/085 comprising polyolefins
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/088 comprising polyamides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/09 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/095 comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/20 comprising aluminium or copper B32B15/016 and B32B15/017 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/103 Metal fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/106 Carbon fibres, e.g. graphite fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/21 Anti-static
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2310/14 Corona, ionisation, electrical discharge, plasma treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2311/24 Aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2375/00 Polyureas; Polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2377/00 Polyamides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/18 Aircraft blades, propellers B32B2603/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/281 comprising polyimides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/286 comprising polysulphones; polysulfides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/34 comprising polyamides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/0008 Electrical discharge treatment, e.g. corona, plasma treatment; wave energy or particle radiation heat treatment B32B38/0036
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/105 : comprising an adhesive layer decalcomania B44C1/16; adhesive tapes C09J7/20
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/12 : Construction or attachment of skin panels
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/26 : Construction, shape, or attachment of separate skins, e.g. panels
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/02 : Lightning protectors; Static dischargers in general H01T
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/266 : of base or substrate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31551 : Of polyamidoester [polyurethane, polyisocyanate, polycarbamate, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31678 : Of metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31681 : Next to polyester, polyamide or polyimide [e.g., alkyd, glue, or nylon, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31688 : Next to aldehyde or ketone condensation product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31692 : Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers

Abstract

According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, an appliqué coating is provided for a substrate. The appliqué coating includes a metal foil and a first polymer film underlying the metal foil. A topcoat overlying the metal foil may be provided as a layer of paint or as a second polymer film. An adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, underlying the first polymer film may be provided to affix the appliqué coating to the substrate. If desired, fibers may be dispersed throughout the second polymer film to provide anti-static properties. Also, an ink layer may be provided between the metal foil and the second polymer film, if desired, for aesthetic and/or anti-static purposes.

Claims

1. An appliqué

coating consisting of;

a first polymer film layer;

an ink layer;

a second polymer film layer;

a vapor barrier layer;

a third polymer film layer; and

a pressure sensitive adhesive layer,

wherein the vapor barrier layer includes a metal foil layer,

wherein the vapor barrier layer is configured to disperse an environmental electrical charge,

wherein a first surface of the first polymer film layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the ink layer using an adhesive,

wherein a second surface of the ink layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the second polymer film layer using the adhesive,

wherein a second surface of the second polymer film layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the vapor barrier layer using the adhesive,

wherein a second surface of the vapor barrier layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the third polymer film layer using the adhesive, and

wherein a second surface of the third polymer film layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer.

2. The appliqué

coating of claim 1, wherein the appliqué

coating has a total thickness of less than four (4) mils.

3. The appliqué

coating of claim 1, wherein the first polymer film layer is microporous to enable the environmental electric charge to migrate to the vapor barrier layer.

4. The appliqué

coating of claim 2, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and the adhesive account for between one-and-a-half (1.5) mils and two (2) mils of the total thickness of the appliqué

coating.

5. The appliqué

coating of claim 3, wherein the second polymer film layer is microporous to enable the environmental electric charge to migrate to the vapor barrier layer.

6. An aircraft comprising:

a pair of wings, each of the wings having skin;

a fuselage having skin;

control surfaces having skin; and

an appliqué

coating adhesively attached to a portion of the skin, the appliqué

coating consisting of;

a first polymer film layer;

an ink layer;

a second polymer film layer;

a vapor barrier layer;

a third polymer film layer; and

a pressure sensitive adhesive layer,

wherein the vapor barrier layer includes a metal foil layer,

wherein the vapor barrier layer is configured to disperse an environmental electrical charge,

wherein a first surface of the first polymer film layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the ink layer using an adhesive,

wherein a second surface of the ink layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the second polymer film layer using the adhesive,

wherein a second surface of the second polymer film layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the vapor barrier layer using the adhesive,

wherein a second surface of the vapor barrier layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the third polymer film layer using the adhesive, and

wherein a second surface of the third polymer film layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer.

7. The aircraft of claim 6, wherein the appliqué

coating has a total thickness of less than four (4) mils.

8. The aircraft of claim 7, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and the adhesive account for between one-and-a-half (1.5) mils and two (2) mils of the total thickness of the appliqué

coating.

9. The aircraft of claim 6, wherein the first polymer film layer is microporous to enable the environmental electric charge to migrate to the vapor barrier layer.

10. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein the second polymer film layer is microporous to enable the environmental electric charge to migrate to the vapor barrier layer.

11. A structure comprising:

a panel; and

an appliqué

coating attached to a portion of a surface of the panel, the appliqué

coating consisting of;

a first polymer film layer;

an ink layer;

a second polymer film layer;

a vapor barrier layer;

a third polymer film layer; and

a pressure sensitive adhesive layer,

wherein the vapor barrier layer includes a metal foil layer,

wherein the vapor barrier layer is configured to disperse an environmental electrical charge,

wherein a first surface of the first polymer film layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the ink layer using an adhesive,

wherein a second surface of the ink layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the second polymer film layer using the adhesive,

wherein a second surface of the second polymer film layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the vapor barrier layer using the adhesive,

wherein a second surface of the vapor barrier layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the third polymer film layer using the adhesive, and

wherein a second surface of the third polymer film layer is adhesively attached to a first surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer.

12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the panel includes a composite panel.

13. The structure of claim 12, wherein the composite panel includes a fiber-reinforced resin composite panel.

14. The structure of claim 11, wherein the panel includes a metal panel.

15. The structure of claim 11, wherein the appliqué

coating has a total thickness of less than four (4) mils.

16. The structure of claim 15, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and the adhesive account for between one-and-a-half (1.5) mils and two (2) mils of the total thickness of the appliqué

coating.

17. The structure of claim 11, wherein the first polymer film layer is microporous to enable the environmental electric charge to migrate to the vapor barrier layer.

18. The structure of claim 17, wherein the second polymer film layer is microporous to enable the environmental electric charge to migrate to the vapor barrier layer.

19. The structure of claim 11, wherein the ink layer provides anti-static characteristics to the appliqué

.

20. The structure of claim 11, wherein the metal foil layer comprises copper, nickel, gold, or titanium.