Abstract: An adhesive-backed film with an adhesive layer having thermoplastic or thermoset filaments partially projecting therefrom, to promote fluid egress and repositionability.

Abstract: A release liner having filaments contacted to a major side thereof, then pressed thereinto. The filaments may be a thermoplastic or thermoset type material.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive backed web, wherein the adhesive layer of such web has partially embedded filaments projecting therefrom. The filaments may comprise a thermoplastic material or a hot melt adhesive. The filaments are contacted to a major surface of a liner material then pressed partially thereinto. An adhesive layer, as from an adhesive backed film, is then laminated to the filament-containing liner, allowing the adhesive layer to pick up the filaments.

Abstract: Methods of forming laminating adhesive articles include providing a multi-layer article, an embossing tool with a structured surface, and a support surface tool. The multi-layer articles include a substrate, an adhesive layer, and a liner or may just include an adhesive layer and a liner. The multi-layer article is placed between the structured surface of the embossing tool and the support surface tool. The embossing tool is pressed against the liner and the support surface tool is simultaneously pressed against the substrate by applying pressure or a combination of pressure and heat. The pressing causes the structures on the surface of the embossing tool to distort the liner and the adhesive layer and the support surface tool modifies the surface of the substrate. The distortion in the liner is retained upon release of the applied pressure. Upon removal of the liner from the adhesive layer, the structures on the adhesive layer are unstable, but do not immediately collapse.

Abstract: An adhesive-backed film with an adhesive layer having thermoplastic or thermoset filaments partially projecting therefrom, to promote fluid egress and repositionability.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive backed web, wherein the adhesive layer of such web has partially embedded filaments projecting therefrom. The filaments may comprise a thermoplastic material or a hot melt adhesive. The filaments are contacted to a major surface of a liner material then pressed partially thereinto. An adhesive layer, as from an adhesive backed film, is then laminated to the filament-containing liner, allowing the adhesive layer to pick up the filaments.

Abstract: Adhesive articles include a substrate with a first major surface and a second major surface, a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive with a first major surface and a second major surface, where the second major surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer is disposed on the first major surface of the substrate, and a plurality of non-pressure sensitive adhesive structures disposed on the first major surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The plurality of non-pressure sensitive adhesive structures are arrayed in a random or non-random pattern, and are applied to the first major surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer by direct contact printing. The articles may also include a microstructured release liner or conformable sheet covering the first major surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and the plurality of non-pressure sensitive adhesive structures.

Abstract: A system and a method for making a web having a complex topography. A substrate having coatable material is contacted by a face-side roller having grooves set into the major surface thereof, the coatable material is then split between the face side roller and the substrate, resulting in a textured surface having a first area associated with the splitting from the major surface, and a second area resulting from splitting associated with areas of the face-side roller having grooves. Raised ridge features produced from the splitting step interconnect portions within the first area, and portions within the second area, and in between the first and second area.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an article comprising a base substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface and a structured surface comprising a deposited material adhered to a portion of the first major surface of the base substrate, wherein the material has a height over the first major surface of at least 3 micrometers. The structured surface is defined, in part, by the deposited material and the structured surface has at least one continuous structure from one edge of the base substrate to a second edge of the base substrate. The application is additionally directed to a method of manufacturing the article.

Abstract: Methods of adhering graphic film on an irregular substrate are disclosed. The methods includes providing a polymer film composite having two or more layers with at least one layer having a glass transition temperature of at least about 40° C., the polymer film composite having a first side and a second side, and an adhesive layer disposed on the second side. Then the method includes, positioning the adhesive layer against the irregular substrate, heating the polymer film composite, and pressing the heated polymer film against the irregular substrate.

Abstract: Methods of forming laminating adhesive articles include providing a multi-layer article, an embossing tool with a structured surface, and a support surface tool. The multi-layer articles include a substrate, an adhesive layer, and a liner or may just include an adhesive layer and a liner. The multi-layer article is placed between the structured surface of the embossing tool and the support surface tool. The embossing tool is pressed against the liner and the support surface tool is simultaneously pressed against the substrate by applying pressure or a combination of pressure and heat. The pressing causes the structures on the surface of the embossing tool to distort the liner and the adhesive layer and the support surface tool modifies the surface of the substrate. The distortion in the liner is retained upon release of the applied pressure. Upon removal of the liner from the adhesive layer, the structures on the adhesive layer are unstable, but do not immediately collapse.

Abstract: Adhesive articles are prepared through the use of modified release liners. The modified release liners include a fracturable layer and a release surface partially covering the fracturable layer. The modified release liners may be prepared by selective coating of a release material onto the fracturable layer or by selective treatment of a release surface to expose portions of the fracturable layer. Upon removal of an adhesive layer adhered to the modified release liner, portions of the fracturable layer of the release liner adhere to the adhesive layer to form a modified adhesive layer.

Abstract: Adhesive articles are prepared through the use of modified release liners. The modified release liners include a fracturable layer and a release surface partially covering the fracturable layer. The modified release liners may be prepared by selective coating of a release material onto the fracturable layer or by selective treatment of a release surface to expose portions of the fracturable layer. Upon removal of an adhesive layer adhered to the modified release liner, portions of the fracturable layer of the release liner adhere to the adhesive layer to form a modified adhesive layer.

Abstract: Methods of adhering graphic film on an irregular substrate are disclosed. The methods includes providing a polymer film composite having two or more layers with at least one layer having a glass transition temperature of at least about 40° C., the polymer film composite having a first side and a second side, and an adhesive layer disposed on the second side. Then the method includes, positioning the adhesive layer against the irregular substrate, heating the polymer film composite, and pressing the heated polymer film against the irregular substrate.

Abstract: Methods of adhering graphic film on an irregular substrate are disclosed. The methods includes providing a polymer film composite having two or more layers with at least one layer having a glass transition temperature of at least about 40° C., the polymer film composite having a first side and a second side, and an adhesive layer disposed on the second side. Then the method includes, positioning the adhesive layer against the irregular substrate, heating the polymer film composite, and pressing the heated polymer film against the irregular substrate.

Abstract: The present application is directed to adhesive articles and release liners. Namely, the present application is directed to an article comprising an adhesive layer with a structured surface. The structured surface comprises a first groove and a second groove recessed into the adhesive layer from a reference plane defined by the adhesive surface on either rim of the groove. In some embodiments, the second groove is contained within the first groove, and in other embodiments the grooves are separate. The first groove and the second groove have walls. The wall angle of the first groove with respect to the reference plane is non-zero and is smaller than the wall angle of the second groove with respect to the reference plane. The application is also directed to release liners for the adhesive article, wherein the surface of the release liner is the inverse of the adhesive surface.

Abstract: Adhesive articles are prepared through the use of modified release liners. The modified release liners include a fracturable layer and a release surface partially covering the fracturable layer. The modified release liners may be prepared by selective coating of a release material onto the fracturable layer or by selective treatment of a release surface to expose portions of the fracturable layer. Upon removal of an adhesive layer adhered to the modified release liner, portions of the fracturable layer of the release liner adhere to the adhesive layer to form a modified adhesive layer.

Abstract: An adhesive composition includes a blend of a pressure sensitive adhesive and an additive. The pressure sensitive adhesive includes a (meth)acrylate polymer. The additive includes a copolymer with a vinyl polymeric backbone that includes at least one free radically polymerizable vinyl monomer A and at least one reinforcing comonomer B, wherein B is present at 0 to about 20% by weight of the copolymer, and a pendant polysiloxane monomer grafted to the backbone. The adhesive composition may optionally be crosslinked. The adhesive composition may be applied to a film to form a graphic article. These graphic articles may be applied to a substrate without liquid application aids.

Abstract: An adhesive composition includes a blend of a pressure sensitive adhesive and an additive. The pressure sensitive adhesive includes a (meth)acrylate polymer. The additive includes a copolymer with a vinyl polymeric backbone that includes at least one free radically polymerizable vinyl monomer A and at least one reinforcing comonomer B, wherein B is present at 0 to about 20% by weight of the copolymer, and a pendant polysiloxane monomer grafted to the backbone. The adhesive composition may optionally be crosslinked. The adhesive composition may be applied to a film to form a graphic article. These graphic articles may be applied to a substrate without liquid application aids.

Abstract: The present application is directed to adhesive articles and release liners. Namely, the present application is directed to an article comprising an adhesive layer with a structured surface. The structured surface comprises a first groove and a second groove recessed into the adhesive layer from a reference plane defined by the adhesive surface on either rim of the groove. In some embodiments, the second groove is contained within the first groove, and in other embodiments the grooves are separate. The first groove and the second groove have walls. The wall angle of the first groove with respect to the reference plane is non-zero and is smaller than the wall angle of the second groove with respect to the reference plane. The application is also directed to release liners for the adhesive article, wherein the surface of the release liner is the inverse of the adhesive surface.