# US 2022/0032579 A1 · Surface covering system and method and apparatus for covering a surface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0032579 A1 - Document ID: US20220032579A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/451,752 - Filed: 2021-10-21 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-05 - Assignees: Armstrong World Industries, Inc. - Applicants: Armstrong World Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Ying CHANG; Michelle WANG - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220032579A1 ## CPC - B32B 7/06: permitting easy separation - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - C09J 5/00: Adhesive processes in general; Adhesive processes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. relating to primers - C09J 7/201: {characterised by the release coating composition on the carrier layer} - B32B 2419/04: Tiles for floors or walls - C09J 2203/366: for mounting tapes - C09J 2301/124: the adhesive layer being present on both sides of the carrier, e.g. double-sided adhesive tape - C09J 2301/502: process for debonding adherents - Y10T 428/14: Layer or component removable to expose adhesive - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - C09J: ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES (preparation of glue or gelatine C09H) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Described herein is a method of covering a surface using a surface covering system. The surface may be a floor, a wall, or a ceiling. In one embodiment, the surface covering system includes a plurality of panels and an adhesive tape that is configured to detachably couple the panels to the surface. The adhesive tape may include a substrate-side adhesive component, a panel-side adhesive component, and a release component between the substrate-side and panel-side adhesive components. The panels may be detachably coupled to the substrate by the adhesive tape such that at least one adhesive layer of the substrate-side adhesive component is adhered to the substrate, at least one adhesive layer of the panel-side adhesive component is adhered to the rear surfaces of the panels, and the release component is between the substrate-side adhesive component and the panel-side adhesive component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of covering a surface, the method comprising: a) providing a plurality of panels, each of the panels comprising a rear surface; b) providing an adhesive tape comprising a substrate-side adhesive component, a panel-side adhesive component, and a release component; and c) coupling the panels to a substrate with the adhesive tape in a side-by-side arrangement to cover the substrate, the substrate-side adhesive component being adhered to the substrate, the panel-side adhesive component being adhered to the rear surface of the panels, and the release component being located between the substrate-side adhesive component and the panel-side adhesive component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the panels are panels are detachably coupled to the substrate by the adhesive tape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the adhesive tape is configured so that upon detaching one of the panels from the substrate, the adhesive tape separates at an interface between the substrate-side adhesive component and the release component or at an interface between the panel-side adhesive component and the release component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate-side adhesive component comprises a removable adhesive layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the substrate-side adhesive component is configured to be removed from the substrate without damaging the substrate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the panel-side adhesive component comprises a removable adhesive layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the panel-side adhesive component is configured to be removed from the panel without damaging the panel. ### Claim 8 A method of covering a surface, the method comprising: a) providing a plurality of panels, each of the panels comprising a rear surface having a panel-side adhesive component coupled thereto; b) coupling a substrate-side adhesive component to a substrate, wherein a release component is coupled to an outer surface of one of the panel-side and substrate-side adhesive components; and c) coupling the panels to the substrate with the panel-side and substrate-side adhesive components, the panels being placed in a side-by-side arrangement to cover the substrate, wherein the release component is located between the panel-side and substrate-side adhesive components. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the panels are panels are detachably coupled to the substrate by the adhesive tape. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the adhesive tape is configured so that upon detaching one of the panels from the substrate, the adhesive tape separates at an interface between the substrate-side adhesive component and the release component or at an interface between the panel-side adhesive component and the release component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the substrate-side adhesive component comprises a removable adhesive layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the substrate-side adhesive component is configured to be removed from the substrate without damaging the substrate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the panel-side adhesive component comprises a removable adhesive layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the panel-side adhesive component is configured to be removed from the panel without damaging the panel. ### Claim 15 A method of covering a surface, the method comprising: a) providing a panel comprising a rear surface having an adhesive tape thereon, the adhesive tape comprising a panel-side adhesive component, a substrate-side adhesive component, and a release component located between the panel-side adhesive component and the substrate-side adhesive component; and b) coupling the rear surface of the panel to a substrate comprising a surface, wherein the substrate-side adhesive component is adhered to the substrate surface and the panel-side adhesive component is adhered to the rear surface of the panel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the panels are panels are detachably coupled to the substrate by the adhesive tape. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the adhesive tape is configured so that upon detaching one of the panels from the substrate surface, the adhesive tape separates at an interface between the substrate-side adhesive component and the release component or at an interface between the panel-side adhesive component and the release component. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate-side adhesive component comprises a removable adhesive layer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the substrate-side adhesive component is configured to be removed from the substrate without damaging the substrate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the adhesive tape is an integral laminate structure such that the substrate-side adhesive component, the panel-side adhesive component, and the release component are attached as a single unit prior to use of the adhesive tape.