Adhesives having a microreplicated topography and methods of making and using same
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsFrank T. Sher, Larry A. Meixner, Francis V. Loncar, Jr., Clyde D. Calhoun
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Adhesives having a microreplicated topography are prepared from contacting a microembossed pattern to a layer of adhesive. When an adhesion interface is established between the layer of adhesive and a supporting substrate, the topography of the adhesive surface controls the performance of the adhesion interface. Articles having microreplicated adhesive surfaces are also disclosed that have an advantage of providing microchannels for fluid egress for an effective period of time. Multiple microembossed patterns produce microreplicated adhesive surfaces having both microchannels for fluid egress and pegs for improved adhesive properties.
Claims23
A method of controlling the topography of an adhesive surface, comprising:
- contacting a microembossed pattern which is a surface having an effective three-dimensional pattern that generates a maximum difference of less than 45 μm in surface planar dimension in a continuous adhesive to a layer of adhesive and forming a continuous pressure sensitive adhesive surface having a topography in at least one major, substantially continuous surface that is essentially the inverse of the microembossed pattern to which the adhesive surface is contacted, such that when an adhesion interface is established between the layer of adhesive and a supporting substrate, the adhesive has a contact area of at least 35%. and fluid may be exhausted from the plane of the adhesion interface.
An article comprising a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive having an adhesive surface having a topography in at least one major, continuous surface having a three-dimensional pattern with a maximum difference of less than 45 μm in surface planar dimension, such that when an adhesion interface is established between the adhesive surface and a supporting substrate, the adhesive has a contact area of at least 35%, and fluid may be exhausted from the plane of the adhesion interface.
An article comprising a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive having a topography in at least one major, continuous surface having a three-dimensional pattern with a maximum difference of less than 45 μm in surface planar dimension formed from at least two embossing patterns, such that when an adhesion interface is established between the adhesive surface and a supporting substrate, the adhesive has a contact area of at least 35%, and fluid may be exhausted from the plane of the adhesion interface.
A method of making a microreplicated adhesive surface using a release liner having a microembossed pattern, comprising the steps of:
- (a) contacting the microembossed pattern which is a surface having an effective three-dimensional pattern that generates a maximum difference of less than 45 μm in surface planar dimension in a continuous adhesive to a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and
- (b) forming a pressure sensitive adhesive surface having a topography in at least one major, substantially continuous surface that is essentially the inverse of the microembossed pattern to which the adhesive surface is contacted and having a contact area of at least 35%.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.