End of roll paper sensing and system management
The present invention is directed to flocked articles comprising a porous film and methods of manufacturing such articles.
1 . A method, comprising:
(a) applying an adhesive to a porous film; and
(b) electrostatically flocking the adhesive to form of a flock layer on the film.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is a release adhesive, wherein the release adhesive is positioned between the porous film and flock, and further comprising:
(c) applying a permanent adhesive to a free surface of the flock, the flock being positioned between the permanent adhesive and release adhesive.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is a permanent adhesive positioned between the film and flock.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the porous film is a microporous film, wherein the microporous film comprises an inorganic filler, and wherein the microporous film is water resistant and at least semiconductive.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
(c) bonding the porous film to a desired substrate in the absence of an adhesive positioned therebetween.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the porous film comprises a matrix of substantially water insoluble thermoplastic organic polymer and filler particles and is gas permeable but water impermeable.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the porous film comprises a substantially nonporous coating, the coating comprising a film-forming polymer.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
(c) bonding a noncompatible insert to the porous film.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the porous film comprises a heat transfer ink layer positioned between the porous film and the release adhesive.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
(c) bonding a plurality of the flocked films to a web material, the web material also being a porous film.
11 . A flocked article manufactured by the steps of claim 1 .
12 . A method for manufacturing a roll of microporous film having a plurality of transfers bonded thereto, comprising:
providing a continuous sheet of microporous film;
contacting a plurality of products with said continuous sheet of microporous film, said products having an external surface of microporous film;
bonding at least a portion of the external surface of microporous film of at least one of said products to at least a portion of said continuous sheet of microporous film using high frequency energy.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the microporous film of the products are bonded directly to the sheet of microporous film.
14 . A method, comprising:
(a) applying, in a desired pattern, a release adhesive to a microporous film;
(b) electrostatically flocking the release adhesive to form a flock layer having first and second surfaces, the first surface being in contact with the release adhesive; and
(c) applying a permanent adhesive to the second surface of the flock layer, wherein the flock layer is positioned between the permanent and release adhesives.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the porous film is a microporous film and wherein the microporous film comprises a particulate filler.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the filler comprises from about 40 to about 90 weight percent of the porous film, wherein the filler particles have a maximum dimension of less than about 5 micrometers, and wherein the pores of the porous film are from about 35 to about 95 percent by volume of the porous film.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the filler is a metal oxide and wherein the porous film comprises a substantially nonporous coating, wherein the coating comprises a binder, wherein the binder is a film-forming polymer, and wherein the binder has a molecular weight ranging from about 100,000 to about 300,000.
18 . A method, comprising:
(a) applying, in a desired pattern, a permanent adhesive to a microporous film; and
(b) electrostatically flocking the permanent adhesive to form a flock layer having first and second surfaces, the first surface being in contact with the permanent adhesive.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the porous film is a microporous film and wherein the microporous film comprises a particulate filler.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the filler comprises from about 40 to about 90 weight percent of the porous film, wherein the filler particles have a maximum dimension of less than about 5 micrometers, and wherein the pores of the porous film are from about 35 to about 95 percent by volume of the porous film.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the filler is a metal oxide and wherein the porous film comprises a substantially nonporous coating, wherein the coating comprises a binder, wherein the binder is a film-forming polymer, and wherein the binder has a molecular weight ranging from about 100,000 to about 300,000.
22 . A flocked article, comprising:
a flock layer having first and opposing second surfaces;
a porous release sheet having first and opposing second sides; and
a release adhesive layer positioned between the first side and first surface.
23 . The article of claim 22 , further comprising:
a permanent adhesive positioned on the second surface, wherein the flock layer is positioned between the permanent adhesive and release adhesive.
25 . The article of claim 22 , wherein the porous sheet is a microporous sheet, wherein the microporous sheet comprises an inorganic filler, and wherein the microporous sheet is water resistant and at least semi-conductive.
26 . The article of claim 22 , further comprising:
a substrate, wherein the second side is bonded to the substrate, and wherein at least most of the second side is in contact with the substrate.
27 . The article of claim 22 , wherein the porous sheet is gas permeable but water impermeable and wherein the porous sheet comprises:
a matrix of substantially water insoluble thermoplastic organic polymer;
a plurality of pores; and
a plurality of filler particles.
28 . The article of claim 27 , wherein the plurality of filler particles comprise from about 40 to about 90 weight percent of the porous sheet and have a maximum dimension of less than bout 5 micrometers, and wherein the plurality of pores are from about 35 to about 95 percent by volume of the porous sheet.
29 . The article of claim 27 where the porous sheet comprises a substantially nonporous coating and wherein the coating comprises a film-forming polymer.
30 . The article of claim 22 further comprising:
a non-compatible insert bonded to the porous film.
31 . The article of claim 22 , wherein the porous film comprises a heat transfer ink layer positioned between the porous film and the release adhesive.
32 . The article of claim 22 , further comprising:
a plurality of flocked films; and
a web material, wherein the web material is also a porous film.