Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
6 3 ~ ~
Wo95/343~3 PCT~S~ 0C~
SELECTIVELY-REMOVABLE INDICIA-CONTAINING SURFACE-COATING METHOD
Technical Field
One aspect of my present invention is directed to an
indicia-containing surface-coating composite that is
selectably removable from a substrate such as a floor.
Another aspect of my present invention is directed to a
10 method of applying, and then selectably removing, such an
indicia-containing surface-coating composite from the floor.
Backqround Art
When shopping for desired merchandise, certain shoppers
wish to be able to quickly locate desired products. However,
15 because many of the so-called "high-volumen shopping centers
of today resemble warehouses, the sheer size of such shopping
centers would seem to pose an obvious impediment to quickly
locating such desired products.
Therefore, to enable shoppers to quickly locate desired
20 products, certain merchandisers make use of floor indicia.
Floor indicia, stated simply, is certain information
that is applied to a floor. Such information may take the
form of written instructions, often tersely worded, which may
further be coupled with generally-recognized corporate logo
2`5 or other well-known corporate symbols, trademarks, and so
forth, to thereby enable shoppers to quickly ascertain the
location of various desired products.
Such indicia may typically be applied to a floor surface
that is generally smooth. Illustrative generally smooth
floor surfaces include wood, various metallic surfaces,
linoieum, various polymeric floor surfaces including vinylic
flooring materials and, in certain shopping malls, marble,
polished granite, terrazzo, various tile materials including
quarry tile, and so forth.
In general, the application of indicia to a surface for
a variety of purposes is well-known to those skilled in this
particular area of technology. See, for example, U.S. Pat.
No. 3,499,781 to Krueckel; U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,792 to Mabrey
et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,420 to Freese; and U.S. Pat. No.
4,680,237 to Kenney et al.
wos~/34383 2 13 ~ 3 5 4 PCT~S~/OC~61
The current state-of-the-art, however, has room for
improvement. In particular, in the last, above-noted U.S.
Pat. No. 4,680,237 there is disclosed a two-step method or
procedure for applying certain colored indicia to a floor.
A first step of the '237 patent, for example, discloses
forming a base layer on the floor by applying a liquid layer
of an unpigmented, so-called "metal interlock~ acrylic finish
to the floor and, thereafter, allowing the metal interlock
acrylic finish to air dry. A second step as disclosed in the
'237 patent includes forming a pigmented layer over the base
layer by next applying a liquid layer of a pigmented, metal
interlock acrylic finish over the base layer and, thereafter,
allowing the pigmented layer to dry.
Thus, when utilizing the two-step procedure disclosed in
15 U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,237 (to Kenney et al.), the first liquid
layer must be allowed to dry before the second liquid layer
is applied to the first layer. In other words, the two-step
procedure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,237 requires two
separate drying steps. The requirement of two, separate
20 drying steps, however, might be viewed by some merchandisers
as a "problemN. For example, in certain situations it might
be very undesirable to be required to spend time waiting for
two, separate liquid layers to dry.
Advantageously, and in connection with the method aspect
25 of my present invention, there is only one such drying step.
Additional problems are typically experienced when such
indicia -- applied to a floor -- is subjected to normal wear
or traffic patterns. For instance, shopping cart tire marks,
heel scuffs, and various standard floor-maintenance practices
30 will ultimately cause certain floor-applied indicia to become
illegible or otherwise damaged.
It would therefore be desirable to apply a protective
coating over such indicia, for purposes of protecting such
damage from occurring.
Yet, many merchandisers may desire to be able to quickly
remove such floor indicia, whenever desired. In this regard,
present removal practices often include mechanically removing
-- such as by scraping and/or sanding -- the indicia from the
floor, such methods occasionally requiring the use of special
~ W095~4383 2 1 3 6 3 S 4 - ' PCT~S9~C6~
_ -3-
tools. There thus may be certain unbudgeted manpower costs
as well as certain unbudgeted equipment costs associated with
the practice of such conventional indicia-removal methods.
It is, of course, desirable for the merchandiser that any
S such unbudgeted costs be reduced to a minimum. It can
further be appreciated that occasionally, certain
conventional indicia-removal methods will cause damage -- to
some degree -- to the underlying substrate surface, which is
of course also undesirable.
SummarY Disclosure Of The Invention
Accordingly, and as was mentioned above, one aspect of
my present invention is directed to a novel, layered indici~-
containing surface-coating composite for application to a
substrate such as a floor. My novel layered surface-coating
15 composite includes a relatively-thin layer of indicia having
a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side thereof
(i.e., the underside), which adhesive is used to secure the
indicia layer to the floor.
Physical properties of a particular pressure-sensitive
20 adhesive are specifically so selected such that the adhesive
layer bonds preferentially to the indicia layer rather than
to the floor and, further, such that the indicia is readily
removably from the floor.
The surface-coating composite of my present invention
further includes an alkali-soluble, transparent polymeric
layer, on the opposite side (i.e., the exposed, upper
surface) of the indicia layer, which polymeric layer
functions as a protective coating over the indicia layer.
- My method of applying the layered indicia-containing
30 surface-coating composite to a substrate such as a floor
includes a series of steps. However, and as was mentioned
above, there is only one ndrying" step.
For example, a first step of my method is to affix to
the floor a relatively-thin layer of indicia having a
35 relatively thin layer or film -- preferably an extremely-thin
layer or film -- of pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side
thereof, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer thus securing
the indicia layer to the floor.
2 1 3 6 3 5 4 ; r
W095/34383 - PCT~S~ ~
_- 4
Another step is subsequently to apply onto the layer of
indicia a liquid, alkali-soluble, polymeric material. The
liquid alkali-soluble polymeric material that is so chosen is
able to dry, to become the alkali-soluble, transparent
5 polymeric layer mentioned above. A subsequent step is then
to dry the liquid alkali-soluble polymeric material (the
~drying" step), thereby forming the above-mentioned alkali-
soluble, transparent polymeric layer on the layer of indicia.
Thereafter, to remove from the floor the thus-applied,
layered indicia-containing surface-coating composite, one
simply applies alkali to the upper surface of the transparent
polymeric layer, in an amount that is effective for causing
the transparent polymeric layer to dissolve, thereafter
removing the now-dissolved polymeric layer from the layer of
indicia. The layer of indicia, depending upon the physical
properties of the particular pressure-sensitive adhesive
selected beforehand, can then readily be simply removed from
the floor, as desired.
Briefly summarizing, the composite of my invention will
20 thus provide for prolonged indicia legibility, principally
because of the above-mentioned solid nature and adhesive
qualities of my composite.
These and other aspects and/or features of my present
invention will be described in detail below.
Industrial Applicability
In certain commercial settings -- such as loading docks,
large-scale warehouses, and so forth -- it may be desirable
to display directional aids in the form of arrows or color-
coded markings, to thereby provide directional assistance to
30 certain material handlers such as forklift operators. Such
directional aids as well as other informative messages are
often displayed on signs attached to ceilings, walls, pillars
or other building structural elements.
However, through carelessness -- e.g., of the forklift
35 operator driving too fast, perhaps, within a warehouse --
such signs may become so damaged as to be rendered illegible,
or such signs may cause an injury, if hung too low, or if
extending too greatly from a wall or pillar.
213635~ `
Wo9~/34383 PCT~S~ 0~64
Use of the present invention as an advertising aid,
another useful feature or aspect of the present invention,
will moreover become readily apparent to those skilled in the
art of sales.
Therefore, in various commercial settings it might be
very desirable to be able to use any and all available floor
space, for purposes of displaying such directional and/or
advertising aids, as are briefly discussed above.
In this regard, and as was mentioned above, illustrative
10 generally smooth floor surfaces, particularly suitable for
use in connection with my invention would include wood,
various metallic surfaces, linoleum, various polymeric floor
surfaces including vinylic flooring materials and, in certain
shopping malls, marble, polished granite, terrazzo, various
15 tile materials including quarry tile, and so forth.
In addition, certain "roughern surfaces such as loading
areas and platforms as well as stairs and landings would be
suitable for use in connection with my invention.
Moreover, the present invention can be employed to apply
20 an indicia-containing composite of the sort disclosed herein
to even rougher surfaces such as various road andlor highway
surfaces, such as are made of concrete, asphalt, and so
forth.
Such indicia-containing composites, in accordance with
25 certain principles of my present invention, would thus be
selectably-removable from such various surfaces, which is of
course a desirable result.
This patent specification accordingly discloses not only
my novel layered indicia-containing surface-coating composite
30 but also a method of applying such a layered indicia-
containing composite to various substrate surfaces, e.g. of
the various sorts mentioned above, for purposes of providing
such surfaces with selectably-removable indicia.
Brief DescriPtion Of The Drawinqs
The accompanying drawing figures will now briefly be
summarized.
Figure 1 is a perspective view, illustrating one method
of applying certain indicia directly onto a floor, in
accordance with certain principles of my present invention.
W095/34383 ~ 1 3 6 3 5 ~ - PCT~Sg~
Figure 2 is a sectional view, taken from the plane 2-2
in Figure 1 and presenting the indicia layer on an enlarged
scale relative to Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2 but
further presenting an alkali-soluble transparent polymeric
layer on the indicia layer.
Throughout the drawing figures, like reference numerals
refer to like elements and/or components.
Best Mode For Carryinq Out The Invention
In Figure 1, there are shown the numerals "7" and "8",
each such numeral representing certain indicia that is to be
affixed to a particular substrate such as a floor ("F").
At this point in this specification, it is important to
bear in mind, in accordance with certain aspects and/or
features of my present invention, that the indicia is not
only able to take a variety of shapes and forms but also that
the indicia is able to be made of various substances. In
this regard, the choice of a suitable material for the
indicia layer will often be dictated by the desired end-use
20 of the layered indicia-containing surface-coating composite.
Accordingly, a suitable material or substance for the
indicia layer might be a fabric; a foil or another metallic
sheeting material; paper or other cellulosic sheeting
material; various polymeric sheeting materials such as
25 polyacetal film, polyamide film, polyanhydride film,
polyester film, polyolefin film, polystyrene film,--polyvinyl
chloride (nPVC~) film, polyvinylidene chloride film,
polyurethane film, polyurea film, and so forth.
Also, the relative "thickness~ or ~thinness~' of the
indicia layer may vary (as needed) to meet a particular
purpose or end-use. For example, it might be necessary that
the indicia be thick enough not to tear when removal of the
indicia from the floor is desired, or it may be desirable
that the indicia layer be so thin as to seem to ~blend in
35 with" the surrounding floor surface.
In any event, I accordingly prefer to use, as my indicia
layer, commercially-available polyvinyl chloride ("PVC")
sheeting material having a film thickness which ranges from
about 1 mil to about 3 mils, and which is preferably about 2
Woss/34383 2 ~ 3 6 3 5 4 PCT~S~ 6~C~
_ 7
mils. (A "mil" is defined as being one one-thousandth of an
inch; and an inch is defined as being 2.54 centimeters.)
Suitable polyvinyl chloride (nPVC") sheeting material
may presently be purchased from the 3M Company of St. Paul,
5 Minnesota. Such PVC sheeting material can (please refer to
Figure 1) itself be a composite, comprising a PVC film layer
10 affixed by a pressure-sensitive adhesive (not shown) to a
backing sheet or web 12.
As is suggested by Figure 1, certain portions of the PVC
film layer 10 can be pre-cut to provide certain indicia, such
as the numbers "7" and n8", respectively identified with the
reference numerals 14 and 15, for application to the floor.
In such an embodiment, it is preferable that the above-
mentioned pressure-sensitive adhesive (not shown), which is
15 utilized to affix the PVC film layer 10 to the backing sheet
or web 12, remain on the backing sheet 12 when the
illustrated indicia 14 and 15 becomes separated from the PVC
film layer. In such an embodiment, it is further preferable
that o~ly the indicia (e.g., the numbers "7'/ and "8",
20 respectively identified with the reference numerals 14 and
15) have a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive 16 on the
opposite side thereof, to thereby enable such indicia 14 to
readily be applied to various substrates such as the floor
("Fn), as is shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The thickness of the illustrated layer of pressure-
sensitive adhesive 16 of Figures 2 and 3 has been depicted
exaggerated, relative to the thickness of the indicia layer
14, for purposes of clarity. As was mentioned above, the
preferred thickness of the illustrated indicia layers 14 and
15 is preferably about 2 mils.
In accordance with certain principles of my present
invention the thickness of the adhesive layer 16 may vary
from about 0.1 mil to 3 mil. Preferably, however, the
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 is an extremely-fine
film and thus has a thickness of much less than 2 mils.
At this point, I should now like to briefly discuss the
ntack" qualities of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16.
Briefly, the term "tack~ relates to the rate at which an
adhesive bond forms between two surfaces, such as floor ("F")
w095/34383 2 1 3 6 3 5 4 8 PCT~S91/0~6~
and indicia 14, as illustrated in Figure 2. In this regard,
the "tack" physical propeties of a particular pressure-
sensitive adhesive will need to be carefully chosen in light
of various factors such as expected wear patterns caused by
5 overpassing traffic, the amount of time that the indicia is
to remain affixed to the floor, and so forth.
As those skilled in the art of pressure-sensitive
adhesives well-know, such ~tack" physical properties will of
course be influenced by the thinness or thickness of the
10 adhesive layer.
Further in this regard, to determine "tack~ physical
properties of various pressure-sensitive adhesives, many
adhesives-technology practitioners tend to use a booklet
entitled Test Methods For Pressure Sensitive Tapes, eighth
edition, published in 1985 by the "Pressure Sensitive Tape
Council" of Glenview, Illinois.
As was briefly mentioned above, physical properties of a
particular pressure-sensitive adhesive are specifically so
selected such that the adhesive layer bonds preferentially to
20 the indicia layer rather than to the floor and, further, such
that the indicia is readily removable from the floor.
In this regard, desired "tack" physical properties of
the pressure-sensitive adhesive may range from 50 to 2000
- grams per square centimeter; will preferably range from 100
25 to 1500 grams per square centimeter; and will more preferably
range from 150 to 1000 grams per square centimeter.. The
determination of these "tack~ values, as well as methods for
determining "tack" values of various pressure-sensitive
adhesives suitable for purposes of my present invention, are
30 as disclosed and discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,333 to
Frazee.
Accordingly, pressure-sensitive adhesives, suitable for
purposes of my present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,845,149; 4,879,333; and 4,923,919, all to Frazee.
Also mentioned above is the fact that the surface-
coating composite of my present invention further includes an
alkali-soluble, transparent polymeric layer 18. (Please
refer to Figure 3.) The transparent polymeric layer 18 is
21363~
Wo95/34383 ~ PCT~S9~666~
formed on the exposed, upper surface of the indicia layer 16
via a series of steps.
As was briefly mentioned above, a first step of my novel
method is to affix to a surface such as a floor a relatively-
S thin layer of indicia 14 or 15 (please refer to Figure 1),wherein the indicia layer 14 (Figure 2) has an extremely-thin
layer or film 16 of pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side
thereof. (The thickness of layer 16 in Figures 2 and 3
relative to the thickness of layer 14 is exaggerated for
10 purposes of clarity.) The extremely-thin pressure-sensitive
adhesive layer 16 is thus used to secure the indicia layer 14
to the floor.
Another step is subsequently to apply onto the layer of
indicia 14 a liquid, alkali-soluble, polymeric material.
(The application of such liquid is not shown.) The liquid
alkali-soluble polymeric material that is so chosen is able
to dry, to thereby become the alkali-soluble transparent
polymeric layer 18 mentioned above. (In Figure 3, the
thickness of layer 18 relative to the thickness of layer 14
is exaggerated for purposes of clarity.)
Accordingly, and in accordance with certain principles
of my present invention, suitable liquid, alkali-soluble,
polymeric material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,396 to
Calhoun et al. Various other liquid, alkali-soluble,
25 polymeric materials, also suitable for purposes of my present
invention, are moreover presently commercially-available.
For example, various acrylic emulsion liquid polymers,
and certain styrenic liquid polymers, as well as certain
dispersible polyesters and polyurethanes, all presently
30 commercially-available, would be suitable for purposes of my
present invention, provided that each such is alkali-soluble
and able to dry to form a transparent polymeric layer. In
this regard, certain particularly preferred specific examples
-- identified e.g. by the brand names "COMPLETE~, "SPRINT",
"VECTRAn, "FUTUREN, "CLEAR", "Joncryl 74", and
"Joncryl 77" -- would be suitable for purposes of my present
invention and are all presently commercially available and
manufactured by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. of Racine,
Wisconsin.
W095/34383 ~ ~ 36~54 ; PCT~S~ JCC~ r~
Also briefly mentioned above is the possibility that the
thus-formed polymeric layer 18 may be required to function as
a "protective~ coating over the indicia layer 14.
Accordingly, if protection of the indicia layer 14 is
5 desired, certain physical properties of the thus-formed
polymeric layer 18 -- such as resiliency, durability,
resistance-to-abrasion, and so forth -- may be matters worthy
of consideration.
Also of possible concern may be the thickness or
10 thinness of the overlying polymeric layer 18 relative to the
thickness of the indicia layer 14. Lastly, the overall
thickness of the composite, per se may become a matter of
concern, in certain cases. In this regard, the thickness of
the polymeric layer 18 may typically vary from 0.1 mils to 2
15 mils; may preferably vary from 0.3 mils to 1 mil; and may
more preferably vary from 0.4 mils to 0.6 mils.
Thus, after a suitable liquid, alkali-soluble polymeric
material is selected and applied onto the indicia layer 14,
the next step that occurs is that the liquid polymeric
20 material is permitted to dry (the sole "drying" step
mentioned above), to thereby become the alkali-soluble
transparent polymeric layer 18, illustrated in Figure 3.
To remove the polymeric layer 18, one then simply makes
use of any one of a wide variety of commercially-available
"basen-containing solutions. For example, as discussed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,396 (to Calhoun et al.), one might choose
to apply an aqueous ammonia solution on the surface of
polymeric layer 18, in an amount sufficient to dissolve the
polymeric layer 18. The now-dissolved polymer could then
30 readily be wiped from the upper surface of the indicia layer
14, thereby enabling removal of the indicia layer 14 from the
floor.
Relative ease or difficulty of removal of the indicia
layer 14 from the floor ("F") would of course be directly
35 related to the "tack" qualities, selected beforehand, for the
pressure-sensitive adhesive.
What has been illustrated and described herein is an
indicia-containing surface-coating composite that is
selectably removable from a substrate such as a floor. Also
WO 95/34383 '2 ~ 3 6 3 5 ~ PCT/US9~/OCCC~
_ 11
described herein is a method of applying, and then selectably
removing, such an indicia-containing surface-coating
composite from the floor. While the indicia-containing
surface-coating composite of the present invention has been
illustrated and described with reference to preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the present
invention is not to be limited to these particular
embodiments. On the contrary, various modifications, as well
as various structural and/or compositional alternatives, will
10 become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the
foregoing description. Accordingly such alternatives and
modifications are to be considered as forming a part of the
present invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and
scope of the accompanying claims.
