Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ADHESIVE COMPOSITE SECURITY ARTICLES
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates adhesive composite security articles. More
particularly, the present invention relates to adhesive composite security
articles for
application to a human or animal body, methods of manufacturing the articles,
and
methods/systems for delivering the articles.
Background of the Invention
A variety of security devices and methods are used to indicate that an
individual has paid for admission to an event such as a concert, etc. The
security devices
are especially important for events that allow attendees to exit and re-enter
after the initial
entry. In those instances, individuals may be tempted to obtain as many
security devices
as possible from bona fide attendees remaining in the confines of the event,
exit the event,
and transfer the security devices to others, thereby allowing those
individuals to enter the
event without permission andlor payment of any entry fees. In addition to the
potential
loss of income. the organizers of such events may also be subject to potential
liability if
the number of people attending the event exceeds the maximum allowable
numbers.
Known security devices and methods include wristbands, ink stampings,
and tickets. Many of these approaches are, however, of limited use in the
reducing illicit
entry. For example, it may be possible to easily remove wristbands, ink stamps
may be
easily duplicated, and tickets can be easily transferred between individuals.
Other
approaches, such as electronic identification cards, may be more effective at
controlling
entry into events. They may, however, be too expensive for use at many events.
Another concern is that the application or distribution of the security
devices be fast enough such that entry into the event is not significantly
delayed. The
ability to process as many attendees as possible in a limited amount of time
may be
important in many cases. In those situations, the use of wristbands, stamps,
identification
cards, etc. may be poor choices if the time required to apply or affix the
security devices
results in significant delays to event entry.
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Another factor to consider is that many events extend over more than one
day and it may be desirable to use a security device or method that, after
initial application
or distribution, is capable of being used over two or more days without
significant
degradation in its ability to indicate proper entry credentials. As a result,
if the device or
method involves application to the body of a wearer, it should withstand
normal activities
such as bathing, swimming, etc.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides adhesive composite security articles
including a flexible backing, pressure sensitive adhesive, and at least one
line of weakness.
The articles are designed to be applied to the body of a wearer such as the
skin or a nail
surface and to be tamper-evident. By "tamper-evident" it is meant that
attempts to transfer
the articles between individuals will result in some irreversible changes that
will indicate
that a transfer has either occurred or was attempted. In preferred articles,
the backing may
separate along the line of weakness and/ar fold back onto itself, adhering the
various
portions of the backing together in a manner that prevents or substantially
impairs intact
transfer of the articles between individuals.
The adhesive composite security article may also desirably include an
image printed thereon to assist in monitoring of the individuals entering and
exiting the
events as well as to provide a better indication of tampering through
disruption of the
image as a result of separation of the backing along the line of weakness
and/or folding of
the backing. In addition, the image may also be used to reduce counterfeiting
of the
adhesive composite security articles by introducing different images, colors,
serial
numbers, etc. into the articles.
The present invention also provides simple and inexpensive delivery
systems for the adhesive composite security articles. In some embodiments, the
adhesive
composite security articles include liners having a release surface and a
retention surface.
The bond strength between the liner and the pressure sensitive adhesive in the
area of the
retention surface is greater than the bond strength between the liner and the
pressure
sensitive adhesive in release surface. The increased bond strength in the area
of the
retention surface allows the backing to be held taut during delivery to assist
in smooth
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delivery of the adhesive composite security article. The retention surfaces
can be provided
by abrasion, embossing, perforating the liner, or combinations thereof.
Advantages of the delivery systems include the simplicity and ease with
which the adhesive composite security articles can be manufactured. For
example, a
standard liner with a fully coated release surface can be used with the
retention surfaces
being formed in-line during the converting process. As a result, no special
liners are
needed in inventory.
In one aspect, the present invention provides an adhesive composite
security article including a flexible backing having top and bottom faces and
a perimeter; a
pressure sensitive adhesive coated on at least a portion of the bottom face of
the backing,
the backing and adhesive forming an adhesive composite; and a line of weakness
in the
backing.
The adhesive composite security articles may also include a release surface
on a liner, the release surface being adhered to the pressure sensitive
adhesive on the
backing, wherein the tensile strength of the backing in a direction generally
transverse to
the line of weakness is greater than the bond strength between the adhesive on
the bottom
face of the backing and the release surface on the liner.
If a liner is included in the adhesive composite security article, it may
include a retention surface with a discontinuous release coating, wherein the
retention
surface is attached to the pressure sensitive adhesive along an edge of the
backing. The
retention surface may be, e.g., in the form of an abraded surface, an embossed
surface,
and/or at least one void in the liner. If the retention surface includes a
void in the liner, the
adhesive composite security article may further include a retainer attached to
the exposed
portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive through the void in the liner.
The adhesive composite security articles of the present invention may also
include a handle attached to at least one edge of the backing. The handle may
be
removably attached to the backing.
In another aspect, the adhesive composite security articles may include a
carrier attached to the top face of the backing, the Garner formed of material
substantially
more rigid than the backing. If a carrier is included, the bond strength
between the carrier
and the backing is less than the tensile strength of the backing in a
direction generally
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transverse to the line of weakness. The carrier may be at least coextensive
with the top
face of the backing or it may form a carrier frame proximate the perimeter of
the backing.
the carrier frame substantially defining a window proximate a center of the
backing.
If the line or lines of weakness are in the form of perforations in the
backing, at least one of the perforations may intersect the perimeter of the
backing to
improve the resistance of the adhesive composite security article to
tampering.
If a plurality of lines of weakness are provided in the backing, at least two
of the lines of weakness intersect to improve the resistance of the adhesive
composite
security article to tampering. The line or lines of weakness may also
intersect an image
provided as a part of the adhesive composite security article.
The backing and pressure sensitive adhesive forming the adhesive
composite may, in some embodiments, transmit moisture vapor at a rate of at
least 300
g/m2/24 hrs/37~C/100-10% RH.
Also provided as a part of the present invention are systems of delivering
adhesive composite security articles.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for delivering
adhesive composite security articles. In the system, a plurality of the
adhesive composite
security articles are separated by a plurality of lines of separation such
that each pair of
successive lines of separation defines opposing ends of one of the adhesive
composite
articles. The lines of weakness in each of the adhesive composite security
articles are
located between each pair of successive lines of separation, that is, the
lines of weakness
do not intersect the lines of separation between adjacent adhesive composite
security
articles.
The adhesive composite security articles delivered in the systems may each
include an image located between each pair of successive lines of separation.
The image.
if provided. may be intersected by a line of weakness.
In the adhesive composite security articles delivered according to the
systems, the tensile strength of each line of weakness along a direction
between the lines
of separation is greater than the tensile strength of each pair of successive
lines of
separation between which the line of weakness is located.
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pCT/US99115693
These and other features and advantages of the adhesive composite securit<~
articles and methods according to the present invention are set forth in the
detailed
description and figures presented below.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of one adhesive composite
security article including a carrier frame according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a top perspective view of an alternative adhesive composite
security article including a carrier frame according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the adhesive composite security
article of Figure 2 after removal of the liner protecting the pressure
sensitive adhesive on
the backing.
Figure 4 is a top perspective view of another alternative adhesive composite
security article according to the present invention.
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the adhesive composite securiy
article in combination with a carrier and liner.
Figure 6A is a top plan view of a liner including a plurality of adhesive
composite security articles according to the present invention.
Figure 6B is a top plan view of the adhesive composite security articles of
Figure 6A including images.
Figure 6C is a top plan view of the adhesive composite security articles of
Figure 6A including carrier frames attached thereto.
Figure 7 is a top plan view of another liner including a plurality of
alternative adhesive composite security articles without a carrier according
to the present
invention.
Figure 8A is a perspective view of one alternative delivery system for
adhesive composite security articles of the present invention.
Figure 8B is a perspective view of another alternative delivery system for
adhesive composite security articles of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of one method of manufacturing one
embodiment of adhesive composite security articles according to the present
invention.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of another adhesive composite security
article according to the present invention.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a liner used in the adhesive composite
security article of Figure 10.
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Figure 12 is a perspective view of the adhesive composite security article of
Figure 10 with the liner partially removed from the pressure-sensitive
adhesive on the
bottom of the backing such that the article is ready for delivery.
Figure 13 is a side view of another adhesive composite security article
S according to the present invention.
Figure 14 is a plan view of the adhesive composite security article of Figure
13.
Figure 1 ~ is a perspective view of another adhesive composite security
article according to the present invention including cut-away portions
exposing the various
components of the article.
Detailed Descriution of the Preferred Embodiments
The present invention provides tamper-evident adhesive composite securit<~
articles including a flexible backing, pressure sensitive adhesive, and at
least one line of
weakness. The articles are designed to be applied to the body of a wearer such
as the skin
or a nail surface. Because the pressure sensitive adhesive coated products
used in
connection W th the present invention typically include a layer of pressure
sensitive
adhesive on a backing or other substrate, they are referred to herein as
"adhesive
composites."
The adhesive composites used as adhesive composite security articles in
connection ~;~ith the present invention are preferably highly moisture vapor
permeable. As
a result, the skin or nail underneath the article, when applied, is allowed to
"breathe"
without significantly affecting the bond between the adhesive composite
security article
and the wearer. If the moisture vapor permeability of the adhesive composite
security
article is too low, moisture will be trapped under the article, eventually
loosening the bond
of the pressure sensitive adhesive to the wearer. In that situation, the
article may be more
easily transferred to another individual resulting in illicit entry into an
event.
Alternatively. an individual may lose the article, resulting in a denial of
entry to a bona
fide attendee.
Some preferred flexible backing materials for articles provided in
connection W th the present invention are translucent or transparent polymeric
films.
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Some preferred adhesive composites are similar to those typically used in the
field of
medical adhesive composites. Those adhesive composites employ high moisture
vapor
permeable film backings and are commonly used for dressings, bandages and
similar
products.
Issued U.S. Patent Nos. 3,645,835 and 4,595,001, along with European
Patent Application Publication No. 0 437 944 describe methods of making some
suitable
films and methods for testing their permeability. Preferably, the
backing/adhesive
composite should transmit moisture vapor at a rate equal to or greater than
human skin.
Preferably, the adhesive coated backing transmits moisture vapor at a rate of
at least 300
g/mz/24 hrs/37/C/100-10% RH, more preferably at least 2000 g/mz/24
hrs/37/C/100-10%
RH, and most preferably at least 4000 glm~l24 hrs/37/C/100-10% RH using the
inverted
cup method as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,595.001.
The backings used in connection with the present invention are also
preferably conformable to anatomical surfaces. As such, when the backing is
applied to an
anatomical surface, it conforms to the surface even when the surface moves.
A description of some backings that may be preferred for use in the
adhesive composite security articles of the present invention can be found in
issued U.S.
Patent Nos. 5,088,483 and 5,160,315, as well as European Patent Application
Publication
No. 0 437 944. Other potential backings and pressure sensitive adhesives
useful in
connection with the present invention are similar to those described in U.S.
Patent No.
3,121,021 and marketed under the tradename MICROPORETM by Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Particularly preferred film backings may be selected from the group of
elastomeric polyurethane, polyester, or polyether block amide films, or
combinations
thereof. These films combine the desirable properties of resiliency, high
moisture vapor
permeability. and transparency that may be preferred in the backings. Also,
although the
backings are depicted below as monolayer articles, it will be understood that
they could
include multiple layers as described in, e.g., European Patent Application
Publication No.
0 437 944.
The pressure sensitive adhesives used in connection with the adhesive
composite security articles of the present invention are preferably safe to
use on human or
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animal skin. and preferably to those that are of the class known as
"hypoallergenic"
adhesives. Some hypoallergenic pressure sensitive adhesives which can be used
in the
adhesive composites of the present invention include, but are not limited to:
the acrylate
copolymers described in U.S. Patent No. RE 24.906 (particularly a 97:3 iso-
octyl
acrylate:acrylamide copolymer); and the 70:15:1 ~ isooctyl
acrylate:ethyleneoxide
acrylate:acrylic acid terpolymer as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,737,410
(see Example
31). Other useful adhesives are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,389,827;
4,112,213;
4,310,509; and 4,323,557; as well as UK Patent No. 1280631 (see, e.g.,
polyvinyl ether
adhesives) and European Patent Nos. 35399 and ~ 1935. Inclusion of medicaments
or
antimicrobial agents in the adhesive is also contemplated, as described in
U.S. Patent Nos.
4,310,509 and 4,323,557.
The preferred pressure sensitive adhesives used in connection with the
adhesive composite security articles of the present invention preferably
transmit moisture
vapor at a rate greater to or equal to that of human skin. While such a
characteristic can be
achieved through the selection of an appropriate adhesive, it is also
contemplated in the
present invention that other methods of achieving a high relative rate of
moisture vapor
transmission may be used, such as pattern coating the adhesive on the backing,
as
described in U.S. Patent No. 4,595,001.
In addition to moisture vapor permeability and hypoallergenicity, it may
also be preferred that the adhesives used in connection with the adhesive
composite
security articles of the present invention exhibit high initial tack upon
application to the
skin or the surface of a nail. One such adhesive is described in PCT
Publication WO
98/15245 titled "Moisture-Regulated Adhesive Dressing" and other useful
adhesives may
include poh~-inyl ether adhesives as discussed in, e.g., UK Patent No.
1280631. One
advantage of an adhesive exhibiting high initial tack is that removal of the
adhesive
composite security articles shortly after application can be more effectively
prevented than
with an adhesive that exhibits a lower initial tack after application. In
addition to high
initial tack. it is also preferred that the adhesive build, i.e., the increase
in bond strength
over time. also be relatively high to further frustrate attempts to transfer
the adhesive
composite security articles.
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Furthermore, many of the pressure sensitive adhesives used in connection
with medical dressings exhibit increased tack after sterilization processing
such as gamma
radiation sterilization. As a result it may be desirable to subject the
adhesive composite
security articles of the present invention to such processes to increased the
tack of the
S pressure sensitive adhesives used in connection with the present invention.
Sterilization
may provide further benefits if the adhesive composite security articles are
inadvertently
applied over an open wound to at least limit contamination of the wound caused
by the
adhesive composite security articles of the invention.
When the backing material used in the adhesive composite security articles
of the present invention is one of the flexible polymeric films discussed
above, it is often
desirable to supply a carrier or some other support that is substantially more
rigid than the
backing to prevent the backing from wrinkling or folding onto itself in whole
or in part
during application of the adhesive composite security article. The Garner
material should
be capable of being attached to the backing by any suitable method, such as
heat sealing,
adhesives, mechanical bonds, wax coatings, surface energy attraction, etc. The
bond
should be secure, yet releasable, i.e., the carrier and backing can be
separated without
destroying the integrity of the backing or the bond between the pressure
sensitive adhesive
on the backing and the skin or nail surface of a wearer. That is, the bond
strength between
the Garner and the backing is less than the bond strength between the adhesive
on the
backing and the wearer. In addition, the bond between the carrier and the
backing should
be stronger than the bond between the adhesive on the bottom face of the
backing, such as
a pressure sensitive adhesive, and any release liner or surface used to
deliver the adhesive
composite security articles as discussed more completely below.
In one preferred embodiment, the carrier material is heat-sealable to the
backing for the purpose of manufacturing the preferred adhesive composite
security
articles. In general, heat-sealable carrier materials can include, but are not
limited to,
polyethyleneivinyl acetate copolymer-coated papers and polyester films. One
example of
a preferred heat-sealable cagier material is a polyethylene/vinyl acetate
copolymer-coated
super calendared Kraft paper (1-80BKG-157 PE: DPC-Lohja, Inc. Westchester,
Illinois).
Methods and materials conducive to heat sealing are described in U.S. Patent
Nos.
5,531,855 (Heinecke et al.) and 5,738,642 (Heinecke et al.).
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The adhesive composites of the present invention may also include a low
adhesion coating on a top face of the backing, which is preferably coated as a
solution of
polyvinyl N-octadecyl carbamate and a blend of silicone resins, as described
in U.S. Patent
No. 5,531,855. The preferred low adhesion coating is compatible with the heat
seal bond
between the carrier and the backing and also retains its low adhesion
characteristics after
attachment. While it is preferred that the top face of the adhesive composites
of the
present invention include a low adhesion coating, adhesive composites without
such a
coating are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
Liners used in connection with the adhesive composite security articles of
the present invention are available from a variety of manufacturers in a wide
variety of
proprietary formulations. Those skilled in the art will normally test those
liners in
simulated use conditions against an adhesive of choice to arrive at a product
with the
desired release characteristics.
Preferred adhesive composite security articles of the present invention also
include an image provided thereon to reduce the ease of counterfeiting,
enhance visual
inspection of the articles, and/or improve the aesthetic appearance of the
articles to the
wearer. Regardless of the actual ink compositions used, it is preferred that
the ink
demonstrate durability as measured by resistance to abrasion, including
resistance to
abrasion following stretching of the backing during delivery of the adhesive
composite
security articles.
One preferred ink composition includes a stable nonpolyethylene-
containing aqueous dispersion of pigment and particles of a urethane polymer.
The ink
composition may further include a cross-linker capable of cross-linking the
urethane
polymer. Another useful ink composition includes a stable nonpolyethylene-
containing
aqueous dispersion of pigment, particles of a urethane polymer and a cross-
linker to cross-
link the urethane polymer.
It may also be desirable to improve the durability of an image on a flexible
substrate by coating a layer of a urethane polymer containing composition onto
the
backing wherein the urethane polymer has a number average molecular weight in
the
noncross-linked form of about 1,500 to about X0.000. The urethane polymer-
containing
composition is preferably an ink composition including a dispersion of pigment
and the
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urethane polymer-containing compound may also include a cross-linker to cross-
link the
urethane polymer. The urethane polymer-containing compound may be coated onto
the
backing before printing the image and/or the urethane polymer-containing
compound may
be coated over the image on the backing.
Another method of forming the images on the backing includes the steps of
printing a first layer of ink onto the backing, the first layer of ink
including a stable
aqueous dispersion of pigment and particles of a urethane polymer and printing
an image
over the first layer of ink wherein the last layer of ink, farthest from the
substrate, includes
a stable aqueous dispersion of pigment and particles of a urethane polymer.
Preferably at
least one layer of ink is printed using a nonaqueous-based ink and preferably
the ink
composition in the first layer of ink further includes a cross-linker to cross-
link the
urethane polymer. Also preferable, the first layer includes an ink with a
white pigment. In
a preferred embodiment of this method, an opaque layer of white pigment is
disposed
between the first layer of ink and the image. Preferably the image is printed
with an ink
composition of a stable aqueous dispersion of pigment and particles of a
urethane polymer
and preferably the last layer of ink, farthest from the substrate, further
includes a cross-
linker to cross-link the urethane polymer. In one embodiment of this method,
the image is
covered with a coating comprising a backsize or sealer. One preferred sealer
is a urethane
polymer adhesive.
In another method, abrasion of an image on a backing may be limited by
applying a water-based dispersion of a urethane polymer to the backing, and
printing an
image over the water-based dispersion of a urethane polymer using at least one
ink
composition. One preferred water-based dispersion of a urethane polymer is a
stable
aqueous dispersion of pigment and particles of a urethane polymer and a cross-
linker to
cross-link the urethane polymer. One preferred ink composition is a stable
aqueous
dispersion of pigment and particles of a urethane polymer and a cross-linker
to cross-link
the urethane polymer.
Regardless of the actual method used to provide the images, it is preferred
that they be durable and resist transfer off of the backing. In addition, it
may also be
desirable that the images include two or more colors to make duplication of
the images
more difficult.
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In place of the inks described above, it may be desirable to provide the
image using. e.g., a pressure sensitive ink or other composition/article that
changes color
and/or appearance when subjected to stretching or other deformation that would
typically
be associated with attempts to remove the adhesive composite security article.
Although it may be desirable to include pre-printed images on the adhesive
composite security articles of the present invention, it is also possible to
provide adhesive
composite security articles in connection with the present invention in which
the image or
other identification device is placed on the wearer followed by the
application of an
adhesive composite security article that does not itself include an image over
the image or
other identification device already provided. For example, a stamp could be
used to appl~-
an image on the skin, followed by application of an adhesive composite
security article
according to the present invention over the stamped image. In such an
embodiment, the
adhesive composite security article may or may not itself include an image.
Furthermore, although many of the adhesive composite security articles of
the present invention will include a transparent or translucent backing, it
may be desirable
that the backing be opaque and/or include a colorant that is visible in either
the visible
spectrum or in. e.g., ultraviolet, infrared or other wavelengths of
electromagnetic radiation.
Backings that include a colorant may or may not be provided with an image in
addition to
the colorant.
The illustrative embodiments described below in connection with the
figures depict some delivery methods and devices useful in connection with the
adhesive
composite security articles of the present invention. It should, however, be
noted that the
adhesive composite security articles may be used with any suitable delivery
system used
for delivery of flexible pressure sensitive adhesive coated backings provided
that any
delivery system used should leave the adhesive composite security article
intact on the
desired surface of the wearer. Examples of suitable delivery systems for use
in connection
with the adhesive composite security articles of the present invention include
those
supplied in connection with medical adhesive dressings available under a
number of trade
names such as TEGADERMT"' .(3M Company. St. Paul, Minnesota), BIOCLUSIVE"r'
(Johnson & Johnson Company, New Brunswick. New Jersey), OP-SITET"' (T.J. Smith
&
Nephew, Hull. England), and UNIFLEXT"' (How Medica, Largo, Florida). A number
of
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these delivery systems are described in various patent-related publications
such as U.S.
PatentNos. Re. 33,353; Re. 33,727; 4,413,621; 4,485,809; 4,600,001; 4,917,928;
5,088,483; 5,160,315; 5,520,629; and 5,531,855; as well as European Patent
Office
Publication No. 0 051 935.
Turning to Figure 1, one embodiment of an adhesive composite security
article 10 includes a backing 12 which is preferably conformable as described
above; an
image 14 on a top face of the backing 12; pressure sensitive adhesive 16 that
is preferably
attached to the bottom face of the backing 12 (aithough it is depicted off of
the backing in
Figure 1 ); and a carrier frame 18 attached to the top face of the backing 12.
Also depicted
in Figure 1 is a liner 13 that bonds to the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 to
protect it until
the backing 12 is delivered.
The top face of the backing 12 may also include a low adhesion coating
(not shown) such as that described in, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,531,855 to
reduce surface
friction between the backing and other objects or surfaces which also reduces
unwanted
removal of the backing 12 after application to a wearer. It will be understood
that this step
is optional and that the low adhesion coating may or may not be provided.
In Fig. 1, a window portion cut in the carrier frame 18 is preferably
removed creating a window 19 exposing a portion of the top face of the backing
12. It will
be understood, however, that in some instances the carrier frame 18 may not
include a
window 19. i.e., the carrier may be coextensive with the backing 12 as
illustrated in the
embodiment of Figure 5 below.
In those adhesive composite security articles 10 in which a window 19 is
provided, removal of the window portion of the carrier material 18 which would
normally
cover window 19 is optional during manufacture. Removal does eliminate one
step in the
delivery process (i.e., the step of removing a portion of the carrier frame
material from the
window 19 prior to removing the backing 12 from the liner 13) and reduces the
waste
stream at the consumer level. However. some customers may prefer that the
portion of the
carrier frame 18 normally covering window 19 remain intact until the adhesive
composite
security article 10 reaches the end user. The portion of the carrier frame 18
that remains
after window removal preferably extends about at least a substantial portion
of the
periphery of the backing 12 to support it after removal from the liner 13.
1-4
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One advantage of those adhesive composite security article 10 in which the
window portion of the carrier material 18 is removed is that an image or other
indicia
could be added to the top face of the backing within the window 19 after the
adhesive
composite security article has been manufactured. The result is increased
flexibility in
selection of the desired images which can, in some instances, frustrate
attempts to produce
counterfeit adhesive composite security articles by, e.g., frequently changing
the images
used on the articles.
Carrier frame 18 may also preferably include at least one tab 17 (two are
illustrated in Figure 1) that extends beyond the perimeter of backing 12 to
assist in
removal of the backing 12 from the liner 13 without contacting the adhesive
16. It is
preferred that the tabs 17 be completely integral with the carrier frame 18
such that pulling
the tab 17 and integral carrier frame 18 away from the liner 20 results in
removal of the
carrier frame 18, backing 12 and adhesive 16 from the liner 13,
The carrier frame 18 is preferably attached to backing 12 (over any low
adhesion coating, if provided) with a heat seal bond. Other bonding
mechanisms, such as
adhesives, mechanical bonds, wax coatings, surface energy attraction, etc. can
be used in
place of the preferred heat seal bond. Regardless of the type of bonding used
to attach the
Garner frame 18 to the backing 12, the bond should be secure, yet releasable,
i.e., the
carrier frame 18 and backing 12 can be separated without destroying the
integrity of the
backing 12 or the bond between the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 on the
backing and the
skin of a wearer after application of the backing 12 with image.
The liner 13 preferably includes a release surface on which the adhesive 16
of the backing 12 lies when the adhesive composite security article 10 is
manufactured.
The release surface on the liner 13 should at least be coextensive with the
adhesive 16 on
the backing 1'_'. but may in some instances be larger (including the entire
surface of the
liner 13) to simplify manufacturing of the adhesive composite security
articles 10.
Examples of suitable release materials include silicones such as UV-9300 and
UV-9315
available from GE Silicones, General Electric Company, Waterford, New York.
The
release material would preferably be coated at weights sufficient to provide
the desired
release characteristics to allow removal of the backing 12 when desired.
1~
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCTNS99/15693
The release liner 13 itself could be made of kraft papers, polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester or composites of any of these materials. As discussed
above, the
release surface 24 preferably comprises release agents such as fluorochemicals
or
silicones. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,472,480, the disclosure of which is
hereby
incorporated by reference, describes low surface energy perfluorochemical
liners. Some
preferred liners are papers, polyolefin films, or polyester films coated with
silicone release
materials. Examples of commercially available silicone coated release papers
are
POLYSLIK"'t silicone release papers available from Rexam Release (Oak Brook,
Illinois)
and silicone release papers supplied by DPC-Lohja, Inc. (Westchester,
Illinois).
Other combinations of adhesives and release materials are contemplated for
use with embodiments according to the present invention. Those skilled in the
art will be
familiar with the processes of testing new combinations of adhesives and
release surfaces
to arnve at the combination of qualities desired in a final product. The
considerations
pertinent to the selection of silicone release surfaces can be found in
Chapter 18 of the
Handbook of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive TechnoloQV, Van Nostrand-Reinhold,
1982, pp.
384-403. U.S. Patent No. 4,472,480 also describes considerations pertinent to
the
selection of a perfluoropolyether release liner.
Also included in the adhesive composite security article 10 are two lines of
weakness 20a and 20b (referred to commonly as lines of weakness 20). The lines
of
weakness 20 are provided in this embodiment as perforations. It is preferred
that the
backing 12 include at least one line of weakness 20. It is further preferred
that at least one
of the lines of weakness 20 intersect or extend through the image 14 on the
backing 12. It
may also be preferred to have two lines of weakness 20 that intersect each
other such that
removal of the backing 12 from a wearer is difficult when attempted from any
angle.
The purpose of the lines of weakness 20 is to prevent or reduce the
likelihood of undetected removal of the backing 12 from a wearer after the
backing 12 and
pressure sensitive adhesive 16 have been applied to the wearer. It is
preferred that the
tensile strength of the backing 12 across the lines of weakness be less than
the strength of
the bond between the wearer and the pressure sensitive adhesive 16. As a
result, attempts
to remove the backing 12 will exceed the tensile strength of one or more of
the lines of
weakness 20. causing the backing 12 to separate alone the line of weakness 20.
Because
16
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the preferred backings are also extremely flexible. the unsupported backing 12
will
typically fold back onto itself, result in irreversible destruction of the
backing 12 and,
preferably, the image 14 to assist in detection.
The lines of weakness 20 illustrated in Figure 1 are perforations including a
series of spaced-apart perforations 22 distributed along the lines of weakness
20. It is
preferred, but not required, that the perforations 22 extend through the
backing 12. In
addition, variations are envisioned in the length of the perforations 22, the
spacing
between perforations 22, the shape of the perforations 22, the depth of the
perforations 22,
etc. In addition, alternatives to perforations are also envisioned for the
lines of weakness.
For example, a Iine of backing material that is thinned relative to the
majority of the
backing may be used a line of weakness. In any line of weakness, the important
characteristic is that the tensile strength of the backing generally
transverse to the line of
weakness be less than the bond strength between the pressure sensitive
adhesive 16 and a
wearer.
Another issue relating to relative bond strengths is that the strength of the
bond between the Garner frame 18 and the backing 12 should at least be less
than the
strength of the bond between the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 and the
wearer. In
addition, it is preferred that the bond between the carrier frame 18 and the
backing 12 be
less than the tensile strength of the backing 12 generally transverse to the
lines of
weakness 20. By providing the carrier frame 18 to backing 12 bond strength at
that lower
level, inadvertent separation of the lines of weakness 20 in the backing 12
during removal
of the carrier frame 18 can be reduced or prevented (as discussed below, the
carrier frame
18 is typically removed after the backing and pressure sensitive adhesive 16
have been
applied to a «-earer).
The image 14 may include alphanumeric characters as depicted in Figure 1,
or it may be a design as depicted in, e.g., Figure' (discussed below).
Alternatively, the
image 14 may include both alphanumeric characters and an image. In addition to
the
image 14, the adhesive composite security article 10 may also include a serial
number 1 ~
or a similar indicator that is unique to each of the adhesive composite
security articles 10
to further frustrate counterfeiting and facilitate tracking and accounting of
the adhesive
composite security articles 10.
17
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PCTNS99/15693
Both the image 14 and serial number 15 may be provided by any suitable
technique. It will typically be preferred that the image 14 be provided on the
top face of
the backing 12. Alternatively, however, the image may be provided on the
bottom face of
the backing 12 (i.e., between the backing 12 and pressure sensitive adhesive
16). In some
instances, it may even be possible to provide the image 14 directly on the
exposed surface
of the pressure sensitive adhesive 16. Furthermore, if the backing 12
comprises a
multilayer composite, it may be possible to provide the image 14 between
layers of the
backing 12. Among the printing or marking techniques that may be employed are
inkjet
printing, laser marking, etc. In addition, the image 14 and the serial number
15 may be
provided by different marking techniques.
One method of using the adhesive composite security article 10 will now be
described. First, the liner 13 is removed from the adhesive composite security
article 10,
leaving the backing 12, the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 attached to the
bottom face of
the backing 12, and the carrier frame 18 attached to the top face of the
backing 12.
Removal of the liner 13 is preferably accomplished without removing adhesive
16 from
the backing 12, without significantly disturbing the bond between the carrier
frame 18 and
the backing 12. and without separating the backing 12 along the lines of
weakness 20.
After removal of the liner 13, the carrier frame l8lbacking 12/pressure
sensitive adhesive 16 can be applied to a wearer. Typically, the pressure
sensitive
adhesive 16 is applied to skin, although it may also be applied to nail
surfaces in some
instances. After the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 is adhered to the desired
surface of the
wearer, the carrier frame 18 can be removed from the backing 12, leaving the
backing 12
(with associated image 14 and serial number 15) attached to the wearer using
pressure
sensitive adhesive 16.
An alternate embodiment of an adhesive composite security article 110 is
depicted in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the
adhesive composite
security article 110 and Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the adhesive
composite
security article 110 with the liner 113 removed. The adhesive composite
security article
110 includes a carrier frame 118, a backing 112, pressure-sensitive adhesive
116, and a
liner 113 protecting the adhesive 116. The backing 112 has top and bottom
faces. An
image 114 is preferably provided on the backing 112. In addition, the
illustrated backing
18
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCT/US99/15693
112 includes three lines of weakness 120a, 120b and 120c (referred to commonly
as lines
of weakness 120 below).
Carrier frame 118 preferably has at least one tab 117 (two are depicted in
Figures 2 and 3) to assist in application of the adhesive composite security
article 110. As
with adhesive composite security article 10 in Figure 1, adhesive composite
security article
110 also preferably includes an open area or window 119 which exposes a
portion of the
top surface of backing 112 and at least a portion of the image 114. The
carrier frame 118
preferably extends around the entire perimeter of backing 112 and may include
a control
depth die cut 111 to facilitate removal of the carrier frame 118 from backing
112 after the
adhesive composite security article 110 has been applied to a wearer. Fig. 3
depicts the
exposed adhesive layer 116.
In those adhesive composite security articles 110 in which the periphery of
the backing 112 is supported by a carrier frame 118, it may be desirable to
provide those
lines of weakness 120a and 120b that extend to the edge of the backing 112
with
perforations 122 at each end that intersect the periphery of the backing 112.
Those
perforations 122 that intersect the edge of the backing 112 can provide
locations where the
backing is particularly susceptible to separation if attempts are made to
remove the
backing 112 after application to a wearer.
The adhesive composite security article 110 also preferably includes at least
one line of weakness 120c that forms a closed geometric figure. The
illustrated line of
weakness 120c forms a circle although any closed geometric figure that is
contained
within the periphery of the backing 112 is suitable. It is even more preferred
that at least
one of the other lines of weakness 120a and 120b intersect the closed figure
formed by line
120c.
As illustrated in Figures 1-3, the carrier frames 18 and 118 are provided to
support the backing after removal from the package. As used in connection with
the
present invention, the term Asupport@ is used to indicate that the carrier
allows a user to
hold the backing in any desired orientation after removal of the liner while
preventing the
backing from wrinkling or folding upon itself. It is preferred that the
carrier support all or
at least a substantial portion of the periphery of the backing by being
releasably attached to
a the entire surface of the backing or at least a substantial portion of that
periphery.
19
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCT/US99/15693
Although Figwes 1-3 depict adhesive composite security articles useful in
connection with the present invention, it should be understood that the
adhesive composite
security articles can take on any desired shape.
Figwes 4 and 5 depict another embodiment of an adhesive composite
security article according to the present invention. Figure 4 depicts the
adhesive
composite security article 210 as including a backing 212, an image 214
located thereon
and a plurality of lines of weakness 220a, 220b, 220c and 220d (collectively
referred to as
lines of weakness 220). As seen in Figwe S, the adhesive composite security
article 210
includes a carrier 218 and liner 213 before delivery to a wearer. The carrier
218 preferably
includes a cut 211 formed therein to facilitate its removal from the backing
212 after
application of the backing 212 and pressure sensitive adhesive 216 to a
wearer.
The lines of weakness 220 are, in the illustrated adhesive composite
secwity article 210, preferably cuts formed through the backing 212. As a
result, the
tensile strength of the backing 220 generally transverse to the lines of
weakness is
essentially zero (as opposed to the perforated lines of weakness described
above).
Because of the flimsier natwe of the lines of weakness 220 in backing 212,
it is preferred that the carrier 218 be coextensive with the backing 212. In
other words,
there is no window in the Garner 218 as with carrier frames 18 and 118
described above.
As a result, the entire backing 212 can be supported until the backing 212 and
presswe
sensitive adhesive 216 are attached to a wearer, after which the carrier 218
can be removed
from the backing 212 without significantly disrupting the lines of weakness
220 in the
backing 212. Attempts to remove the backing 212 from the wearer will
preferably,
however, cause the backing 212 and presswe sensitive adhesive 216 to fold back
onto
itself and destroy the adhesive composite security article 210.
Although the adhesive composite security articles have been described as
single units above, it will be understood that they may also be provided in
groups on a roll
or sheet as depicted in Figure 6A in which a plurality of adhesive composite
secwity
articles 310 are depicted on a liner 313. Each of the adhesive composite
secwity articles
310 includes a backing 312, and lines of weakness 320a-320e (collectively
referred to as
lines of weakness 320). Although the articles 310 are depicted in a one-up
configuration,
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCTNS99/15693
those skilled in the art will recognized that they could be produced in groups
of two or
more articles 310 across the liner 313, i.e., two-up or more.
Figure 6B depicts the adhesive composite security articles 310 of Figure 6B
with the addition of images 314 printed or otherwise provided on the backing
312 forming
the articles 310. The image 314 is in the form of a shark and the outline of
the backing
312 of each of the adhesive composite security articles 310 is also in the
general outline of
a shark. The complex curves forming the outline of each backing 312 further
complicate
and frustrate attempts to remove the adhesive composite security articles 310
after
application to a wearer.
Although a shark is depicted in Figure 6B, it will be understood that the
adhesive composite security articles 310 could be provided in any desired
shape. It may
be particularly desirable to provide adhesive composite security articles
according to the
present invention in some recognizable shape, e.g., a cartoon character or an
animal as
shown. This may be especially true where the adhesive composite security
articles are
destined for use in connection with an amusement park, zoo, etc. that is
connected with the
cartoon character or animal.
To assist in delivering the adhesive composite security articles 310 to a
wearer, the addition of a carrier frame 318 to the backing 312 forming each of
the adhesive
composite security articles 310 is illustrated in Figure 6C. The carrier frame
318 could be
attached to the backing by any suitable technique as discussed above. The
earner frame
preferably includes a tab 317 to assist in handling of the adhesive composite
security
article 310. Each of the carrier frames 318 also preferably includes a cut 311
to assist in
removal of the frame 318 from the backing after delivery of the backing 3 i2.
The adhesive composite security articles 310 may then be distributed from
a roll or sheet as depicted in Figure 6C or the individual adhesive composite
security
articles 310 can be sheeted and distributed individually. If distributed
individually, the
adhesive composite security articles 310 could be packaged in groups or
separately to offer
additional protection.
Another feature of preferred adhesive composite security articles 310 is the
orientation of the lines of weakness relative to the peel direction. Peel
direction is the
direction in which the backing 312 would typically be peeled to remove it from
the liner
21
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCT/US99/15693
313 used to deliver the adhesive composite security articles 310. For an
adhesive
composite security articles 310 such as those depicted in Figure 6C, the peel
direction as
indicated by arrow 325 is largely defined by the location of the tab 317 on
the carrier
frame 318. It is preferred that the adhesive composite security articles 310
include lines of
$ weakness 320a-320e that are not perpendicular to the peel direction 325. If
the lines of
weakness 320a-320e are perpendicular to the peel direction 325, there may be a
tendency
for the lines of weakness that are perpendicular to the peel direction to fail
during removal
of the backing 312 from the liner 313. This tendency can be significantly
reduced if the
lines of weakness 320a-320e are not perpendicular to the peel direction 325.
To prevent
perpendicularity between the lines of weakness and the peel direction 325, it
may be
desirable to provide curved lines of weakness, i.e.. lines of weakness that do
not follow a
straight line. The curvature of the lines of weakness may be constant or it
may vary in
degree and direction.
For example, lines of weakness 320a-320d are all preferably craved as seen
in Figure 6C. By providing curved lines of weakness 320a-320d, slight changes
in the
peel direction 325 can be better tolerated. Such variations in peel direction
are to be
expected when the adhesive composite security articles 310 are delivered
manually due to
removal of the backings 312 by different individuals.
The line of weakness 320e seen in Figure 6C is largely located along a
straight line. Because that line of weakness 320e is largely aligned with the
peel direction
325, the straight nature of the line of weakness 320e will have little effect
on the tendency
of the line of weakness 320e to fail during removal of the backing 312 from
the liner 313.
Figure 7 depicts another embodiment of an adhesive composite security
article 410 according to the present invention. The adhesive composite
security articles
410 in Figure 7 are provided in strip form on a liner 413 in which the
individual adhesive
composite security articles 410 formed by the backing 412 are delineated by
lines of
separation 430. Each of the adhesive composite security articles 410 includes
a portion of
the backing 412, and lines of weakness 420a and 420b (collectively referred to
as lines of
weakness 420).
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCTNS99/15693
The lines of separation 430 between pairs of adjacent adhesive composite
security articles 410 can be provided in the form of perforation lines as
depicted in Figure
7, although any construction capable of allowing separation between pairs of
adjacent
adhesive composite security articles 410 can be substituted. Examples of some
suitable
equivalents include, but are not limited to: mechanical score lines, hot
wire/knife lines
melting the backing 412 between adjacent adhesive composite security articles
410, etc.
The lines of separation 430 preferably extend through the backing 412 along at
least a
portion of the line of separation 430, and they may also extend through the
liner 413. In
addition, the lines of separation 430 may be formed completely through all of
the backing
412 such that no connection exists between the backing 412 in adjacent
adhesive
composite security articles 410, while the liner 413 is scored, folded,
perforated or
otherwise processed to allow the liner 413 to be separated along the lines of
separation
430.
Also illustrated in the adhesive composite security articles 410 of Figure 7
is a backing window 450 in each of the adhesive composite security articles
410. In one
embodiment, the area of backing window 450 is free of any backing 412. In
other words,
after the backing 412 has been cut through to define the backing window 450,
the backing
material within the window 450 is removed from the liner 413. Alternatively,
the backing
material within the backing window 450 can be left in position on the liner
413. Because
the backing 412 is cut through completely about the window 450, the backing
material
within the window 450 remains attached to the liner 413 after the remainder of
the backing
412 forming the adhesive composite security articles 410 is removed from the
liner 413 to
apply it to a wearer.
In adhesive composite security articles including backing windows 450, it
may be desirable to apply the adhesive composite security articles 410 to a
wearer,
followed by the application of an image using, e.g., a stamp or other device
such that a
portion of the image is directly on the wearer {within the area of the backing
window 450)
and a portion is on the backing 412 of the adhesive composite security
articles 410. As a
result, even if removal of the adhesive composite security articles 410 from
the wearer and
transfer to another person is successful, at least a portion of the image
cannot be directly
transferred because it remains on the wearer.
23
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCTNS99/15693
Another variation depicted in Figure 7 is an alternative perforation pattern
for the lines of weakness 420 in which a series of angled perforations 422 are
arranged as
depicted. Even in those situations in which the overall line of weakness 420
is
perpendicular (which is not favored as discussed above), the angled
orientation of the
S perforations 422 assists in preventing failure of the line of weakness 420
as the backing
412 is removed from the liner 413. That additional robustness in the line of
weakness 420
can, at least in part, be attributed to the angle formed by the perforations
422 with the peel
direction (similar to the angled relationship of the perforations in a curved
line of
weakness). As discussed above, a variety of perforation patterns could be used
for lines of
I 0 weakness in connection with the present invention and the variations
depicted in any of the
illustrated embodiments are not intended to be limiting.
It is preferred that the backing 412 exhibit tensile strengths generally
transverse to the lines of weakness 420 within each of the adhesive composite
security
articles 410 that are greater than the tensile strengths of the backing 412
generally
15 transverse to the lines of separation 430. As a result, as each of the
adhesive composite
security articles 410 is removed from the liner 413, the integrity of the
lines of weakness
420 within the adjacent pair of adhesive composite security articles 410 being
separated
can be maintained. This relationship may be particularly important in those
delivery
systems in which the liner 413 is not separated as each of the adhesive
composite security
20 articles 410 is removed from the liner 413.
Although not depicted, it will be understood that each of the adhesive
composite security articles 410 could also be provided with a carrier to
support the
backing 412 during transport from the liner 413 to a wearer as discussed
above. If a
carrier were provided, it would typically be preferred that the lines of
separation 430
25 extend through at least the carrier and the backing 412.
Where the adhesive composite security articles are not provided with a
Garner, one alternative delivery system could be provided by the liner on
which the
adhesive composite security articles are located. Referring to Figure 8A, one
potential
delivery system for an adhesive composite securit'~ article formed from a
backing 512 and
30 pressure sensitive adhesive 516 could include a liner 513 constructed from
two separate
liners S 13a and 513b, in which liner 513a includes a J-fold 513c used to
begin the delivery
24
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCTNS99/15693
process. Delivery systems including J-fold liners are known to those skilled
in the art and
will not be further described herein.
Referring to Figure 8B, another alternative delivery system is disclosed in
which the liner 613 on which backing 612 and adhesive 616 are located includes
a
separation cut 615 along which the liner 613 can be separated to facilitate
delivery of the
adhesive composite security article formed from the backing 612. Liners with
separation
cuts are also known to those skilled in the art and v~ill not be further
discussed herein.
One method of manufacturing preferred adhesive composite security
articles including a carrier according to the present invention will now be
described with
reference to FiQttre 9. The depicted method involves a supply roll of backing
712 with
pressure sensitive adhesive on one side of the backing with the pressure
sensitive adhesive
being preferably protected by a waste liner 712'.
In many instances it may be desirable to provide the backing in a roll that
has been preprinted with any desired images. The depicted manufacturing system
and
method, however, includes a printing station 740 that can be used to supply
the images
and/or any serialization desired in the final products. After printing, the
backing 712 can
be directed into a station 742 in which any desired lines of weakness are
formed in the
backing 712. ~s discussed above, this may involve perforating the backing 712,
although
other lines of weakness and the methods needed to provide them are also
envisioned. The
edges of the backing 712 in the machine direction. i.e., the direction of
travel of the web,
may also be cut or trimmed into a desired shape and the waste material removed
in
connection with the formation of lines of weakness.
At that point, the backing 712, complete with any desired images, lines of
weakness and edge profiles is laminated to the carrier material 718 at station
744. The
preferred process involves heat sealing of the carrier material 718 to the top
face of the
backing material 712, although other techniques of attaching the carrier to
the backing are
also envisioned as discussed above. It is preferred. but not required to
provide the lines of
weakness in the backing 712 before attaching the carrier even in those
situations where a
window is removed from the carrier materials such that the lines of weakness
can extend
even underneath the carrier material 718.
2j
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCT/US99/15693
The carrier material 718 may preferably be die cut to form the windows
which lie in the center of the carriers on some adhesive composite security
articles
provided in the combinations according to the present invention. The die
cutting can be
accomplished using rotary die cutting equipment which is well known to those
skilled in
the art. After the windows have been die cut in the carrier material, they are
optionally
removed before the carrier material is attached to the backing. The windows
die cut into
the earner material can be removed using a number of methods known to those
skilled in
the art. Those methods could include the use of vacuum, air pressure, gravity,
and/or
small diameter nip rolls that cause the windows to be removed from the framed
carrier
material. Although one preferred method includes providing windows in the
carrier
material, it will be understood that the carrier may not include any windows
in which case
the carrier will typically be attached over the entire top surface of the
backing.
After the carrier material 718 is attached to the backing 712, the waste liner
712' used to support the backing during the above steps can be removed as
depicted at
station 746 followed by the addition of product liner material 713 at station
748. With the
product liner 713 completing the composite including the pressure sensitive
adhesive,
backing and carrier 718, the individual adhesive composite security articles
710 can be
sheeted at station 750 (if individual adhesive composite security articles as
depicted in,
e.g., Figures 1-~, are desired).
It will be understood that there are alternative manufacturing methods in
addition to those described above. In one alternative, the backing may be
extruded or
coated on a waste earner to form a backing/waste carrier composite. The
pressure
sensitive adhesive can also be coated on a waste liner to form a pressure
sensitive
adhesive/waste liner composite. The pressure sensitive adhesive/waste liner
composite
can then be laminated to the backing/waste carrier composite to form a waste
carrier/backina/pressure sensitive adhesive/waste liner composite. Finally,
the waste
carrier can be removed from the backing to provide a composite including the
backing/pressure sensitive adhesive/waste liner composite material which can
then be
processed as described above.
In another method of providing the backing/pressure sensitive
adhesive/waste liner composite, the adhesive is coated on the waste liner and
the backing
26
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCT/US99/15693
material is extruded or coated directly onto the pressure sensitive adhesive
to provide a
backing/pressure sensitive adhesive/liner composite material. This second
method is
somewhat advantageous because it avoids the use of a waste carrier to reduce
product
costs and processing steps. Both methods and others are, however, contemplated
for use
S in the methods according to the present invention.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of another delivery system for delivering
adhesive composite security articles according to the present invention. The
security
article 810 includes a backing 812 having a top and bottom face, with a
pressure sensitive
adhesive 814 located on the bottom face. Although not illustrated, the article
810 may
also include an image as discussed in connection with the adhesive composite
security
articles described above. A liner 816 is located over the adhesive 814 to
protect it until
delivery. The liner 816 preferably includes a liner tab 817 whose purpose will
be
described more completely below.
Also attached to the pressure sensitive adhesive 814 is a handle 818 useful
in delivery of the adhesive composite security article 8I0. The handle 818 and
the liner
tab 817 preferably overlap each other such that they provide a convenient
location to
separate the liner 816 from the pressure-sensitive adhesive 814 to deliver the
adhesive
composite security article 810.
The backing 812 also preferably includes a first line of separation 822
located along a first edge of the backing 812. The line of separation 822 is
preferably
provided as a line of perforations, although other lines of separation are
contemplated.
The line of separation 822 defines a portion of the backing 812 which will be
referred to
below as the delivery strip 830. The handle 818 is preferably connected to the
delivery
strip 830 of the backing 812 such that it does not overlap the backing 812
past the location
of the first line of separation 822. At the opposing second edge of the
backing 812,
another delivery strip 824 may be defined by another line of separation 826.
The backing 812 preferably includes at least one line of weakness 820
located between the lines of separation 822 and 826. Like the lines of
weakness described
above, line of weakness 820 is provided to prevent or reduce the likelihood of
undetected
removal of the backing 812 from a wearer after the backing 812 and pressure
sensitive
adhesive 814 have been applied to the wearer. It is preferred that the tensile
strength of the
27
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
WO 00/04348 PCTNS99/15693
backing 812 across the line of weakness 820 be less than the strength of the
bend between
the wearer and the pressure sensitive adhesive 814.
It is also preferred that the tensile strength of the backing 812 across the
line of weakness 820 be greater than the strength of the bond between the
pressure
sensitive adhesive 814 and the liner 816. As a result, removal of the backing
812 and
pressure sensitive adhesive 814 from the liner 816 will not cause the line of
weakness 820,
to separate during delivery to a wearer.
Figure 12 illustrates the delivery process in which the liner 816 has been
substantially removed from contact with the pressure-sensitive adhesive 814 on
the
backing 812. Although not shown, the user preferably holds the handle 818 and
tab 817 of
the liner 817 and separates them to suspend the backing 812 between the handle
818 and
liner 816.
Because the backing 812 is preferably held suspended between the handle
818 and liner 816 to prevent the backing 812 from folding or wrinkling after
removal of
the liner 816, the bond strength between the liner 816 and the pressure-
sensitive adhesive
814 in the area of the delivery strips 830 and 824 is preferably greater than
the bond
strength between the liner 816 and the remainder of the pressure-sensitive
adhesive 814
located between the delivery strips 830 and 824. As a result, as the user
separates the liner
816 from the pressure-sensitive adhesive 814, tension can be applied to the
backing 812 as
the release line between the liner 816 and pressure sensitive adhesive 814
reaches the
delivery strip 824 along the second edge of the backing 812. The result is
that during
delivery a user may grasp the liner 816 and the handle 818 and remove the
liner 816 from
a substantial portion of the backing 812 to place it in tension, thereby
reducing the
likelihood that the backing 812 will fold or wrinkle during delivery.
The top face of one liner 816 is illustrated in Figure 1 l and includes a
release coating located on a release surface 815 and a retention surface 819
located along
an edge of the liner 816. It is preferred that the retention surface 819 be
located along an
edge of the backing 812 and, more preferably, that the retention surface
correspond
roughly to the delivery strip 824 of the backing 812 in size and location. To
place the
backing 812 in tension as described above, the bond strength between the
release surface
815 and the pressure sensitive adhesive 814 is lower than the bond strength
between the
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retention surface 819 and the pressure sensitive adhesive 814. Similarly, the
bond strength
between the handle 818 and the backing 812/pressure sensitive adhesive 814
composite is
preferably greater than the bond strength between the release surface 815 and
the pressure
sensitive adhesive 814.
The increased bond strength between the liner 816 and the pressure
sensitive adhesive 814 in the area of the retention surface 819 can be
provided through a
number of techniques for disrupting the continuit<~ of a release coating on
the liner 816.
By disrupting the continuity of the release coating. the pressure sensitive
adhesive 814
may be able to bond with the underlying liner 816 directly which typically
results in a
stronger bond as compared to the bond strength of the pressure sensitive
adhesive 814 and
the release coating.
In one embodiment, the increased bond between the pressure sensitive
adhesive 814 and the retention surface 819 can be provided by abrading a
release coating
from the liner 816 to form an abraded surface in which at least a portion of
the release
coating, or potentially all of the release coating, is removed from the liner
816 in the area
of the retention surface 819. The amount of release coating removed by
abrasion in the
retention surface 819 can be varied to control the strength of the bond
between the
retention surface 819 and the pressure sensitive adhesive 814.
Where smaller portions of the release coating are removed by abrasion, the
bond strength may be only slightly increased, allowing the retention surface
819 to
separate or release from the pressure sensitive adhesive 814/backing 812
composite. In
those embodiments, the lines of weakness 826 illustrated in connection with
the adhesive
composite security article 810 may not be required. One advantage to such
embodiments
is that all of the backing 812 is delivered to the wearer, with none of the
backing 812 being
discarded with the liner 816 after delivery.
Where larger amounts of the release coating, such as all or substantially all
of the release coating, are removed from the liner 816 in the area of the
retention surface
819, the bond strength between the retention surface 819 and the pressure
sensitive
adhesive 814 may be too great to allow removal of the retention surface 819
from the
pressure sensitive adhesive 814 without undesirable stretching of the backing
812. In
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those situations, it may be preferred that a line of weakness 826 be provided
in the backing
812 as illustrated to allow separation of the backing 812.
Where a line of separation 826 is provided in the backing 812, the bond
strength between the retention surface 819 of the liner 816 and the pressure
sensitive
adhesive 814 in the area of the delivery strip 824 is preferably greater than
the tensile
strength of the backing 812 across the line of separation 826. As a result,
after proper
location of the adhesive composite security article 810 on a wearer's skin or
other surface.
the backing 812 can be smoothed down and increased tension is applied to the
backing 812
by pulling the liner 816 away from the backing 812. The increased tension
preferably
causes the backing 812 to separate along line of separation 826. After
separation, the
delivery strip 824 is removed from the backing 812 along with liner 816,
without
separation of the retention surface 819 of the liner 816 from the delivery
strip 824.
Furthermore, because the backing 812 is adhered to a surface (using pressure
sensitive
adhesive 814), separation of the backing 812 across the line of weakness 820
is preferably
prevented during removal of the delivery strip 824.
In those articles in which it is desired that the handle 818 be separable from
the remainder of the adhesive composite security article 810 after delivery
and in which
the handle 818 is attached to the pressure sensiti~~e adhesive 814 on the
backing 812, the
bond strength between the handle 818 and the pressure-sensitive adhesive 814
may also be
controlled through abrasion of a release coating on the handle as described
with respect to
the liner 816 above. In other words, the bond bern~een the handle 818 and the
pressure
sensitive adhesive 814 can be controlled to allow removal of the handle 818
from the
pressure sensitive adhesive 814 without significantly stretching the backing
812 to the
point at which the bond between the pressure sensitive adhesive and the
patient's skin is
unacceptably compromised. In such embodiments where the bond between the
handle 818
and the pressure sensitive adhesive 814 is releasable, no line of separation
is required and
none of the backing 812 is removed with the handle 818.
In other embodiments such as the one depicted in Figures 10 and 12, the
handle 818 is not releasably attached to the pressure sensitive adhesive 814
and a line of
weakness 822 is instead provided. In such an embodiment, the handle 818 may
include an
abraded surface from which substantially all of a release coating has been
removed from
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the handle 818. The backing 812 preferably separates along the line of
weakness 822
during removal of the handle 818 because the strength of the bond between the
handle 818
and the pressure sensitive adhesive 814 is greater than the tensile strength
of the backing
812 across the line of weakness 822. As a result, removal of the handle 818
also removes
the delivery strip 830 portion of the backing 812 along the line of weakness
822.
Furthermore; because the handle 818 and attached delivery strip 830 are
preferably
removed after the backing 812 and pressure sensitive adhesive 814 are attached
to a
wearer's skin or other surface, separation of the backing 812 across the line
of weakness
820 is preferably prevented during removal of the delivery strip 830 and
handle 818.
The lines of separation 822 and 826 in the illustrated embodiment of
adhesive composite security article 810 may be provided in the form of
perforations. The
dimensions of the perforations vary based on the backing 812 and other
factors, although
too few perforations or perforations that are too small can result in
stretching, deformation
and uneven weakness of the backing 812. At the other end of the spectrum, too
many
perforations or perforations that are too large can result in backings 812
that separate too
easily, thereby inhibiting the tension that can be applied to the backing 812
between the
handle 818 and liner 816. The result is that smooth delivery of the backing
812 can be
inhibited.
Although the liner 816 and handle 818 have been described as including
abraded surfaces from which a portion or all of a release coating has been
removed, the
articles according to the present invention may alternatively be manufactured
with
embossed liners 816 and handles 818 to increase the strength of the bond
between the
pressure sensitive adhesive 814 and the liner 816 and/or handle 818.
Embossing a release coated surface can increase the bond strength between
that surface and a pressure sensitive adhesive by disrupting the continuity of
the release
coating in the embossed areas. That discontinuous release coating increases
bond strength
by allowing the pressure sensitive adhesive 814 access the materials
underneath the release
coating. For example, a liner 816 could include a retention surface 819 that
is embossed
instead of, or in addition to, abrading as discussed above. The exact nature
of the
embossing used in the retention surface 819 can vary based on, e.g., the
pressure sensitive
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adhesive 814, the release coating, the liner material, whether the article is
gamma sterilized
(which can increase the bond strengths), etc.
The embossed retention surface 819 could be releasably attached to the
pressure sensitive adhesive 814 in which case no line of separation 826 is
required to allow
removal of the liner 816 from the adhesive composite security article 810.
Alternatively,
the embossing could cause enough disruption in the release coating such that a
line of
separation 826 would be desirable to prevent excessive stretching of the
backing 812 when
removing the liner 816.
The handle 818 could include an embossed surface similar to that used in
connection with the liner 816 to achieve either a desired releasable handle
818 or a handle
818 that is more securel~~ attached to the backing 812, thereby requiring a
line separation
822 along which the backing 812 separates during removal of the handle 818.
Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the adhesive
composite security articles according to the present invention. The adhesive
composite
security article 910 includes a backing 912, adhesive 914, liner 916, and line
of weakness
920 (similar to those described above).
One variation in the adhesive composite security article 910 as compared to
those described above is that the handle 918 is attached to the top face of
the backing 912,
i.e., on the opposite face on which the pressure sensitive adhesive 914 is
located. The
handle 918 preferably extends beyond the edge 913 of the backing 912 as best
seen in
Figure 13.
As with the adhesive composite security article 810 described in connection
with Figures 10 and 12, it is preferred that the bond strength between the
handle 918 and
the backing 912 preferable be stronger than the bond strength between the
release surface
of the liner 916 and the pressure-sensitive adhesi~~e 914. As a result, a user
can grasp the
handle 918 and the tab portion 917 of the liner 916 to separate the release
surface of the
liner 916 from the pressure-sensitive adhesive 914 and backing 912.
The bond strength between the release surface of the liner 916 and the
pressure-sensitive adhesive 914 along the edge of the backing 912 is greater
than the bond
strength between the release surface of the liner 916 and the pressure-
sensitive adhesive
914 over the remainder of the backing 912. As a result, a user can deliver the
backing 912
3''
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and pressure-sensitive adhesive 914 by holding the backing 912 suspended
between the
handle 918 and the liner 916 in a manner similar to that discussed above with
respect to
adhesive composite security article 810.
In those articles in which a line of separation 926 is provided in the backing
912, it may be preferred that the bond strength between the liner 916 and the
pressure-
sensitive adhesive 914 along the edge of the backing 9I2 (generally
corresponding to the
area of the delivery strip 924) be greater than the tensile strength of the
backing 912 across
the Iine of separation 926. As a result, after application of the backing 912
and pressure-
sensitive adhesive 914, the liner 916 can be removed by separating the backing
912 along
the line of separation 926. At the opposite edge of the backing 912, it is
also preferred that
the handle 918 be removable from the backing 912. The handle 918 may be
removed by
using a line of weakness or by releasably bonding the handle 918 to the
pressure sensitive
adhesive 914 as described in connection with adhesive composite security
article 810
above.
A removable handle 918 may alternatively be attached to the backing 912
using a releasable heat seal bond. Such releasable heat seal bonds are
described in, e.g.,
U.S. Patent No. x,738,642 (Heinecke et al.). Briefly, however, any releasable
heat seal
bond should be secure, yet releasable, i.e., the handle 918 and backing 912
can be
separated without destroying the integrity of the backing 912 or the bond
between the
pressure sensitive adhesive 914 on the backing 912 and the skin or other
surface of a
wearer. That is. the bond strength between the handle 918 and the backing 912
is lower
than the bond strength between the adhesive 914 and the skin or other surface
of a wearer.
In addition, the bond between the handle 918 and the backing 912 should be
stronger than
the bond between the adhesive 914 and the liner 916 to facilitate separation
of the liner
916 from the pressure sensitive adhesive 914 during delivery.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of yet another adhesive composite security
article 1010 according to the present invention that includes a backing 1012
and pressure
sensitive adhesive 1014. The backing 1012 also preferably includes a line of
weakness
1020 formed therein as described in the embodiments presented above. The
pressure
sensitive adhesi~~e 1014 is protected before deliver' by a two-part liner
including liner
sheets 1016a and 1016b. The two liner sheets 1016a and 1016b are preferably,
but not
33
CA 02336797 2001-O1-09
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necessarily provided with a J-fold to assist a user in grasping the liner
sheets 1016a and
1016b to deliver the adhesive composite security article 1010.
The liner sheet 1016a includes a release surface l OlSa in contact with a
portion of
the pressure sensitive adhesive 1014 on backing 1012 and at least one void
1040a formed
completely through the liner sheet 1016a. As illustrated in Figure 15, it is
preferred that a
plurality of voids I 040a be formed along the edge of the liner sheet 1016a
proximate the
edge 1021 of the backing 1012. It is fiuther preferred that, where a line of
separation 1022
is provided in the backing 1012, all of the voids I 040a be located within the
delivery strip
1019 defined by the line of separation 1022 and the edge 1021 of the backing
1012.
A retainer 1042a can be located over the voids 1040a in the liner sheet 1016a
such
that the portions of the pressure sensitive adhesive 1014 exposed by the voids
1040a bond
with the portions of the retainer 1042a located over the voids 1040a. The
strength of the
bond between the pressure sensitive adhesive I 014 and the retainer 1040a is
greater than
the strength of the bond between the pressure sensitive adhesive 1014 and the
release
surface l OlSa on the liner sheet 1016a. It is preferred, but not required,
that the retainer
1042a also be bonded to the liner sheet 1016a (on the opposite face from the
release
surface l OlSa). It may be further preferred that the retainer 1042a itself
include a pressure
sensitive adhesive on the surface facing the liner sheet 1016a to bond the
retainer 1042a to
the liner sheet 1016a. Any additional adhesive on the retainer 1042a may also
enhance the
bond between the retainer 1042a and the pressure sensitive adhesive 1014 on
the backing.
The opposing edge 1023 of the backing 1012 includes a similar construction
including voids 1040b formed in the other liner sheet 1016b and a retainer
1042b bonded
to the pressure sensitive adhesive 1014 exposed within the voids 1040b. It is
further
preferred that, where a line of separation 1026 is located proximate the edge
1023, the
voids 1040b be located within the delivery strip 1024 defined by the line of
separation
1026 and the edge 1023 of the backing 1 O 12.
Because of the differential bonding strengths between the release surfaces
l OlSa/I OlSb and the retainers 1042a/1042b, the backing 1012 of the adhesive
composite
security article 1010 can be delivered in a manner similar to that illustrated
in Figure 12.
In other words, the user can grasp both liner sheets 1016a and 1016b and pull
them in
opposite directions until the lines of release between the pressure sensitive
adhesive I 014
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and the liner sheets 1016a and 1016b reach the voids 1040a and 1040b. At that
point the
backing 1012 can be held taut between the two liner sheets 1016a and 1016b,
with the
pressure sensitive adhesive 1014 adhered to the retainers 1042a and 1042b
through the
voids 1040a and 1040b in the liners sheets 1016a and 1016b. The adhesive
composite
security article can then be placed in a desired location and the backing 1012
located
between the lines of separation 1022 and 1026 smoothed down to adhere the
exposed
pressure sensitive adhesive 1014.
After location of the backing 1012 on a wearer, the liner sheets 1016a and
1016b
and the retainers 1042a and 1042b can be separated from the pressure sensitive
adhesive
1014. In adhesive composite security articles in which the bond between the
retainers
1042a and 1042b is higher, the backing 1012 is preferably separated along the
lines of
separation 1022 and 1026 by placing further tension on the backing 1012 using
the liner
sheets 1 O 16a and 1 O 16b. In this embodiment, the tensile strength of the
backing 1012
across the lines of separation 1022 and 1026 is preferably less than the
strength of the
bond between the pressure sensitive adhesive 1014 and the respective retainers
1042a or
1042b through the respective voids 1040a or 1040b. As a result, increasing the
tension in
the backing 1 OI2 using the liner sheets 1 O 16a and 1016b typically causes
separation of the
backing 1012 along the corresponding lines of separation 1022 and 1026.
In a further variation, the adhesive composite security article 1010 could be
provided without the retainers 1042a and 1042b placed over the voids 1040a and
1040b.
Increased bond strength is obtained in those adhesive composite security
articles at the
areas around the voids 1040a and 1040b by interaction of the pressure
sensitive adhesive
1014 with the edges of the voids. As discussed above, the lines of separation
1022 and
1026 are optional depending on the strength of the bonds between the liner
sheets 1016a
and 1 O 16b at the edges of the backing 1 O I2.
In some respects, the voids 1040a and 1040b provided in liner sheets 1016a and
1016b (and retainers 1042a and 1042b, if present) define retention surfaces as
discussed
above with respect to the abraded and embossed liners discussed above. Like
the retention
surfaces discussed above, the retention surfaces defined by the voids 1040a
and 1040b
provide increased bonding to the pressure sensitive adhesive 1014 as compared
to the
strength of the bonds between the release surfaces 1015a and l OlSb. In one
respect, the
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voids 1040a and 1040b can be thought of as disrupting the continuity of the
release
coating, resulting in a retention surface having a discontinuous release
coating that
contributes to increased adhesion between the liner sheets and the pressure
sensitive
adhesive in the area of the voids.
Various modifications and alterations of this invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this
invention, and
it should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited to the
illustrative
embodiments set forth herein.
36
