Removable Protective Surface Flooring

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floor that is manufactured with a removable protective surface exhibiting long-term removability with minimal traces when coupled with polymer film employed for protecting floor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional utility patent application claims all rights afforded to it by provisional patent application 61/753,462 filed on Jan. 1, 2013. The invention is in use and trademarked in part as TUFFGUARD with USPTO serial registration 85927414.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a floor that is manufactured with a removable protective surface, more particularly to adhesives allowing for long-term removability with minimal traces when coupled with polymer film employed for protecting floor.

BACKGROUND ART

Flooring manufactured with a protective surface that releases easily with minimus traces is important for improved efficiencies in the construction industry. Adhesives are designed to form bonds with a plurality of materials for industry applications. Adhesives are permanent or removable and range in cohesive force. In recent years, many adhesives have been designed for excellent releasability on glass and metallic surfaces.

Prior art has attempted to address the problem that this invention solves. That is, creating methods subsequent to the installation of flooring to protect and shield the flooring. Behringer (US 20090178752 A1) has recognized the utility of providing a protective film to flooring for some of the same reasons this invention has. However, this invention allows for protective film to be applied at a point in time prior to the installation of flooring making installation more efficient with virtually no mess when releasability of the protective surface is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention embodies a manufacture using adhesives with properties that allow for excellent releasability of protective surfaces and floors after a time lapse from manufacturing until the opportune moment. The manufacture includes a protective surface applied to floor with an adhesive.

EXAMPLE

In one embodiment 60 percent by weight acetic ether was combined with 40 percent by weight acrylic ester, used to hold polyethylene film to vinyl floor removal of the polymer based protective surface at the opportune moment. Upon removal the vinyl floor exhibited no significant traces of adhesive or foreign materials. The polyethylene film was 43 micrometers thick and the glue created a 7 micrometer space as it joined the floor to the polymer film. The polyethylene film had a tensile strength greater than 20 MPa. Temperature can vary at time of application regarding the environment, but when the aforementioned polyethylene film was applied to the vinyl floor temperature was about 273 Kelvin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of a removable protective surface floor.

FIG. 2 is a front view of one example manufacturing layout for removable protective surface floor production.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings. Illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. For example, FIG. 1. is of a rectangular shape but the described embodiments apply to all floor shapes and sizes.

A removable protective surface floor comprising a polymer film applied to hard floor with the following adhesive. Acetic ether (CH₃COOC₂H₅), also known in the art as ethyl acetate, is used as a solvent with a weight percentage ranging from 52 to 68 percent by weight. Acetic ether is combined with the remaining weight percentage of 32 to 48 of the ethyl ester of acrylic acid (CH₂CHCO₂CH₂CH₃), sometimes called ethyl acrylate, acrylic ester, or ethyl propenoate. Percentages may vary depending on optimizing the correct amounts of solvents and plasticizers for maximal ease of releaseability while minimizing traces left on the flooring.

Polymer film examples include, but are not limited to, polypropylene films, polyacetal films, polystyrene films, polyethylene terephthalate films, polyamide films, polyvinyl chloride films, ionomeric polyolefm films polyvinylidene chloride films, polyurethane films, polyurea films, and the like.

Examples of floor include, but are not limited to, vinyl, ceramic, hardwood, vinyl composite tile, laminates, marble, and the like.

Another adhesive used in various applications for polymer films and hard flooring uses the above said acrylic ester with purified water. Purified water is used because no impurities are found which could create traces at time of removal or damage the floor. Purified water ranging from weight percent of 46 to 58 is combined with ethyl acrylate with a weight percentage of 42 to 54.

FIG. 1 embodies the removable protective surface floor with a protective surface 7, adhesive 8, and floor 9.

FIG. 2 embodies one manufacturing layout with the protective surface 7 released from a roller 12 fixed above conveyer 14 to which it attaches. Adhesive applicator 16 applies an adhesive to the protective surface as conveyer 14 moves floor applying the protective surface with rollers at contact with floor 9. Placement and forces applied may depend on parameters set by the thicknesses and properties of materials desired for each manufacture.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The removable protective surface floor involves a problem in that it costs greater time and labor to protect newly installed flooring from environmental conditions. Examples of environmental conditions found around newly installed flooring include moving heavy objects, such as a refrigerator or a washer and dryer, which pose risks of physically damaging the floor. Additionally, the removable protective surface shields against paint splatter, as painting is another environmental condition found around newly installed floor.

The above illustrative examples are not meant to be exhaustive and show common problems solved by the features of removable protective surface flooring. Opportunities for floor damage are especially prevalent in construction projects with sliding or rolling forces. Manufacturing flooring with a removable protective surface allows for further protection of the floor from physically proximate activities. Furthermore, removable protective surface floor minimizes risks arising from transportation, including improper packaging. Removal of a protective surface at the opportune moment decreases potential damage from the moment of manufacture.

The numerical parameters set forth in the specification and following claims are approximations that may vary. Respective standard deviations from measurement methods may be taken into account.

Claims

1. A removable protective surface floor comprising:

a polymer film with a thickness in a range of 20 to 400 micrometers;

an adhesive that is a compound of:

(i) acetic ether with a weight percentage ranging from 52 to 68; and

(ii) acrylic ester with the remaining weight percentage of 32 to 48;

between the protective surface and the floor having an adhesive thickness in a range of 3 to 50 micrometers;

wherein the adhesive applies the protective surface to the floor.

2. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 1, where the polymer film has a thickness in a range of 40 to 46 micrometers.

3. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 1, where the adhesive is 58 to 62 percent by weight acetic ether and 38 to 42 percent by weight acrylic ester.

4. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 1, where the adhesive thickness has a range of 5 to 9 micrometers;

5. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 1, where the polymer film has a thickness of 43 micrometers.

6. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 1, where the adhesive is 60 percent by weight acetic ether and 40 percent by weight acrylic ester.

7. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 1, where the adhesive thickness has of 7 micrometers;

8. (canceled)

9. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 1, where the floor is vinyl.

10. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 1, where the floor is vinyl composite.

11. A removable protective surface floor comprising:

a polyethylene film with thickness in a range of 40 to 46 micrometers;

an adhesive that is a compound of:

(i) acetic ether with a weight percentage ranging from 58 to 62; and

(ii) acrylic ester with the remaining weight percentage of 38 to 42;

between the protective surface and the floor having an adhesive thickness in a range of 5 to 9 micrometers;

wherein the adhesive applies the protective surface to the floor.

12. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 11, where the polyethylene film has a thickness of 43 micrometers.

13. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 11, where the adhesive is 60 percent by weight acetic ether and 40 percent by weight acrylic ester.

14. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 11, where the adhesive thickness has of 7 micrometers;

15. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 11, where the floor is vinyl.

16. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 11, where the floor is vinyl composite.

17. A removable protective surface floor comprising:

a polymer film with a thickness in a range of 20 to 400 micrometers;

an adhesive that is a compound of:

(i) ethyl acrylate with a weight percentage ranging from 42 to 54; and

(ii) purified water with the remaining weight percentage of 46 to 58; between the protective surface and the floor having an adhesive thickness in a range of 3 to 50 micrometers;

wherein the adhesive applies the protective surface to the floor.

18. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 17, where the polymer film has a thickness in a range of 40 to 46 micrometers.

19. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 17, where the adhesive is 45 to 51 percent by ethyl acrylate and 49 to 55 percent by weight purified water.

20. The removable protective surface floor according to claim 17, where the adhesive thickness has a range of 5 to 9 micrometers;