Methods for making pressure-sensitive adhesives having microstructured surfaces
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsMieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Robert K. Galkiewicz, Gerald M. Benson
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Abstract
The invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coated articles, including tapes and transfer coatings, having microstructured surfaces and methods of making pressure-sensitive adhesive articles bearing such microstructured surfaces. The performance properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive articles can be tailored by independently varying the microstructure and the rheological properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Claims12
A method of making a microstructured pressure-sensitive adhesive tape comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a microstructured molding tool;
- (b) embossing an adhesive layer of an adhesive tape comprising a backing coated with a continuous layer of an embossable pressure-sensitive adhesive with the microstructured molding tool, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is capable of assuming the pattern of the microstructured molding tool and retaining a microstructured surface upon removal from the microstructured molding tool;
- and
- (c) separating the microstructured molding tool and the adhesive layer to form a microstructured pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.
A method for making a microstructured pressure-sensitive adhesive tape comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a microstructured backing having a pressure-sensitive adhesive releasing microstructured side and a planar side having less release character than the microstructured side;
- (b) coating an embossable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the planar side of the backing;
- (c) contacting the surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with the microstructured side of the backing to emboss the adhesive layer;
- and
- (d) separating the microstructured backing and the adhesive layer to yield the microstructured pressure sensitive adhesive tape.
A method of making a microstructured pressure-sensitive adhesive transfer coating comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a microstructured molding tool;
- (b) embossing an adhesive layer of an adhesive transfer coating comprising a release liner coated with a continuous layer of an embossable pressure-sensitive adhesive with the microstructured molding tool, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is capable of assuming the pattern of the microstructured molding tool and retaining a microstructured surface upon removal from the microstructured molding tool;
- and
- (c) separating the microstructured molding tool and the transfer coating to form a microstructured pressure-sensitive adhesive transfer coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.