Carrier-free adhesive film

Abstract

An adhesive system is provided that comprises a layer of adhesive without any adhesive carrier layer or screen or the like, covered on a first release surface and covered on the opposite side by a second release surface. Methods of forming the system and methods using the system to lay down a uniform layer of adhesive which can be used to secure various flooring materials are also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 171,747, filed on Apr. 22, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates generally to adhesive systems, and more particularly to those used to adhere flooring such as carpet, carpet tile (with various backings which include PVC, Polyolefin, polyurethane etc), vinyl composition tiles (VCT), luxury vinyl tiles and plank (LVT), wood, laminate floors, carpet padding and other flooring materials that can be secured in place with adhesive layers. The invention also generally relates to methods of making and using such adhesives.[0003]There are generally two types of adhesives: two-component adhesives, and one-component adhesives. Two-component adhesives are generally formed with a resin component and a hardener component. In two-component adhesives, the resin and hardener are mixed immediately ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]In another embodiment of the invention, the release liner can have the first and second release agents on opposite sides of a single release liner. In this manner, the adhesive layer is disposed on the weak release agent side and the combination can be formed into a roll, with the strong release agent facing the outside of the roll and promoting easy unrolling of the roll, exposing a surface of the adhesive layer as the roll unrolls. The exposed side of the adhesive layer can then be pressed onto a substrate and the release liner removed by peeling the relatively weaker release agent surface from the top of the adhesive layer, with the bottom on the flooring substrate. Flooring can then be adhered to this top exposed surface of the adhesive layer.

Problems solved by technology

The process can be time consuming, messy, and difficult to accomplish, particularly in large applications.

These methods require the installer to be skilled in making sure that the proper tools are both selected and used correctly, and ensuring that the correct amount of adhesive is applied; otherwise the installation may fail.

Failure to wait for this period can result in installation failure which can be very costly.

During this drying period the adhesive vehicle (which can be water, VOC's or in some cases noxious solvents) will escape to the atmosphere resulting in unpleasant odors in the installation environment and toxic fumes which sometimes produces a “sick building” syndrome.

There is also the danger of that some of the adhesive may go on the face of the floor covering and damage it.

Also most of these adhesive products are packaged in plastic containers that are not bio-degradable, at the end of their life cycle these containers can contribute to environmental pollution.

When these products come into contact with these chemicals they can be damaged.

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