Method for manufacturing a net patterned adhesive layer

1. A method for making a net patterned adhesive layer for adhesion to the skin of a living being, which net patterned adhesive layer defines a net with a predetermined pattern including adhesive zones spaced apart by spaces, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an adhesive in liquid form onto a support surface;

forcing a moulding tool defining an inverse pattern which is inverse relative to the predetermined pattern on to an application area of the adhesive so as to define the predetermined pattern in the adhesive while the adhesive is in liquid form;

allowing at least outer surfaces of the adhesive in the application area to become form-stable by applying curing energy to the application area, at least a part of the curing energy being applied by means of the moulding tool; and

removing the moulding tool from the application area.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a temperature of the adhesive when applied to the support surface is below 60 degrees Celsius.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein an area inside at least a part of the spaces is substantially devoid of adhesive material.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein an area inside at least a part of the spaces includes a thin layer of adhesive having a thickness of which is substantially thinner than a thickness of neighbouring adhesive zones.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein an area inside at least a part of the spaces includes a thin layer of adhesive having a thickness which is 0 to 10% of a thickness of neighbouring adhesive zones of the net.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a release liner on the adhesive prior to the step of forcing the moulding tool into the adhesive.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the moulding tool is drum shaped, and the support surface is arranged to convey the liquid adhesive from an application area to a moulding area in which the moulding tool engages the adhesive, and wherein the step of providing the adhesive and the step of forcing the moulding tool into the adhesive are performed concurrently.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the net pattern in two different areas, relatively, is not uniform in terms of at least one of: a distance between adhesive zones, a thickness of the adhesive zones, a width of the adhesive zones, a density of the adhesive zones and a cross-sectional shape of the adhesive zones.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the net pattern is less dense in a middle portion than in a rim portion thereof.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive zones are thicker in a rim area of the net than in a middle portion of the net.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support surface defines a backing film, and wherein a width of at least one of the adhesive zones in a base area which is in contact with the backing film is substantially equal to a width of a top area, which is defined by an opposite side of the adhesive zone.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support surface defines a backing film, and wherein a width of at least one of the adhesive zones in a base area which is in contact with the backing film is smaller than a width of a top area, which is defined by an opposite side of the adhesive zone.

13. An adhesive layer comprising patterned adhesive having a predetermined pattern, said patterned adhesive being made by providing an adhesive in liquid form onto a support surface, forcing a moulding tool defining an inverse pattern which is inverse relative to the predetermined pattern onto an application area of the adhesive so as to define the predetermined pattern in the adhesive while the adhesive is in liquid form, allowing at least outer surfaces of the adhesive in the application area to become form-stable by applying curing energy to the application area, at least a part of the curing energy being applied by means of the moulding tool, and removing the moulding tool from the application area.

14. A wound dressing comprising:

a vapour permeable but liquid impermeable backing film with a net adhesive pattern layer having a predetermined pattern, said net adhesive pattern layer being made by providing an adhesive in liquid form onto a support surface, forcing a moulding tool defining an inverse pattern which is inverse relative to the predetermined pattern onto an application area of the adhesive so as to define the predetermined pattern in the adhesive while the adhesive is in liquid form, allowing at least outer surfaces of the adhesive in the application area to become form-stable by applying curing energy to the application area, at least a part of the curing energy being applied by means of the moulding tool, and removing the moulding tool from the application area; and

an absorbent core defining one or more borders, wherein the net pattern adhesive layer extends beyond the borders of the absorbent core.