Method of conforming a film to a surface
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsMichael R. Kesti, Frank T. Sher, Stephen J. Aden, Ronald S. Steelman, John R. David
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of applying film to substrates are provided wherein the film matingly conforms to the configuration of the substrate, including areas adjacent protrusions or depressions in the substrate. In certain embodiments, the film is punctured by a probe and a vacuum is applied to the probe in order to aspirate air and urge the film toward a position of compliance with the substrate. Optionally, the film is softened by heat in order to facilitate conformance with the shape of the substrate.
Claims19
A method of applying a film to a substrate comprising:
- providing a film having a layer of adhesive;
- placing the film on a substrate such that a portion of the adhesive layer is in contact with the substrate;
- selecting a region between the film and the substrate where the adhesive layer is not in contact with the substrate;
- softening the selected region using heat;
- contacting the film adjacent the selected region with a hollow elongated probe having an outer end with an opening lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe;
- moving the outer end of the probe through the film and into the selected region;
- and
- applying vacuum to the selected region through the probe in order to aspirate air from the region and urge the film adjacent the selected region toward the substrate.
A method of applying a thermoplastic film to a substrate having a plurality of rivets comprising:
- providing a thermoplastic film having a layer of adhesive;
- placing the film on the substrate and over the rivet;
- heat softening the film in an area next to the rivet;
- while the film is heat softened, moving the outer end of a hollow probe through the film and into a region next to the rivet;
- and
- applying sufficient vacuum to the probe to snap the film against the substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.