US20240150095A1

US20240150095A1 - Consumer goods packaging containers bearing adhesive film

Info

Publication number: US20240150095A1
Application number: US18/275,249
Authority: US
Inventors: Iain William Herbert Oswald; Thomas Oswald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-05
Filing date: 2022-02-04
Publication date: 2024-05-09
Also published as: WO2022170094A1

Abstract

A container assembly includes a container configured to contain a plurality of individually dispensable goods. The container assembly further includes an adhesive assembly having at least two layers, where a first outermost surface of the at least two layers forms a first adhesive side and a second outermost surface of the at least two layers forms a second adhesive side opposite the first adhesive side. The first adhesive side is configured to adhere to a side of the container and the second adhesive side is configured to adhere to a substrate, the substrate configured to support the container. The adhesive assembly is configured to prevent separation of the container from the substrate during removal of at least one of the plurality of individually dispensable goods.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/146,377, filed Feb. 5, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to packaging containers. More specifically, the disclosure relates to packaging containers for disposable goods that allow the disposable goods to be retained in a position via adhering the packaging container to a desired substrate.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a container assembly is provided. The container assembly includes a container configured to contain a plurality of individually dispensable goods. The container assembly includes an adhesive assembly having at least two layers, wherein a first outermost surface of the at least two layers forms a first adhesive side and a second outermost surface of the at least two layers forms a second adhesive side opposite the first adhesive side. The first adhesive side may be configured to adhere to a side of the container and the second adhesive side may be configured to adhere to a substrate, the substrate configured to support the container. The adhesive assembly is configured to prevent separation of the container from the substrate during removal of at least one of the plurality of individually dispensable goods.
In any embodiments herein, the at least two layers include at least one pressure sensitive adhesive. In some embodiments, the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive may be disposed on at least one of first adhesive side or the second adhesive side within an application region. In other embodiments, a total area of the application region of the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive on the first adhesive side or the second adhesive side may be at least 25 mm². In yet other embodiments, the application region includes a plurality of discrete regions. In various embodiments, each of the discrete regions is covered by one or more pieces of release paper. In some embodiments, the adhesive assembly is configured as a laminar structure, where each of the first side and the second side include the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive, and where the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive is covered by at least one layer of release paper. In other embodiments, the container assembly includes a face stock structure having at least two surfaces, the face stock structure further including at least one layer of carrier material, where the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to each of the at least two surfaces of the face stock. In yet other embodiments, the at least two layers further includes a foam core. In various embodiments, the foam core is cross-linked.
In another aspect, a method of securing a container of disposable goods is provided. The method includes providing an adhesive assembly, where the adhesive assembly includes at least two layers, where a first outermost surface of the at least one layer forms a first adhesive side and a second outermost surface of the at least one layer forms a second adhesive side opposite the first adhesive side. The adhesive assembly also includes a first release liner configured to removably couple to the first outermost layer and a second release liner configured to removably couple to the second outermost layer. The first adhesive side and the second adhesive side include at least one adhesive. The method also includes removing the first release liner from the first outermost layer, coupling the first outermost layer to a surface of the container, removing the second release liner from the second outermost layer, and coupling the second outermost layer to a support surface.
In various embodiments, the container includes at least one of paperboard, corrugated fiberboard, or a thermoplastic resin. In some embodiments, the method includes determining a strength of the at least one adhesive, the at least one adhesive having at least one of a rubber-based adhesive, an acrylic based adhesive, or a silicon-based adhesive. In other embodiments, the strength of the at least one adhesive is defined as S, and S is greater than or equal to S=F/(M*A), where S is a value determined by ASTM test D3330-Method A on stainless steel, where F is a maximum force required to remove one or more articles individually from the container, where A is an area of the second adhesive side that is configured to contact the support surface, and where M=0.57. In yet other embodiments, the at least one adhesive includes at least one micro-suction adhesive element or a pressure sensitive adhesive.
In yet another aspect, a method of securing a container of disposable goods is provided. The method includes providing the container, the container forming a substrate, and applying at least two adhesive layers to the substrate. At least one of the at least two adhesive layers is applied via spraying, an outermost surface of the at least two layers forms a first adhesive side and a second surface of the at least two layers opposite the outermost surface forms a second adhesive side, and the second adhesive side is adhered to the substrate. The method further includes covering, with a first release liner, the outermost surface, where the first release liner is configured to removably couple to the outermost surface. The method also includes removing the first release liner from the outermost surface and coupling the outermost surface to a support substrate.
This summary is illustrative only and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an adhesive device for a container of consumer goods, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of the adhesive device of FIG. 1 arranged in a first form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of the adhesive device of FIG. 1 arranged in a second form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a packaging container assembly having an adhesive portion arranged in a first form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of the packaging container assembly of FIG. 4 , according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a packaging container assembly having an adhesive portion arranged in a second form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of the packaging container assembly of FIG. 6 , according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of an adhesive assembly in a first form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of an adhesive assembly in a second form, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 a top view of a packaging container assembly with an adhesive portion, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the packaging container assembly of FIG. 10 , according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a top view of an adhesive assembly, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a top view of an adhesive assembly, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14A is a schematic representation of a front view of a mechanical testing apparatus for measuring adhesive strength, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14B is a schematic representation of a side cross-sectional view of the mechanical testing apparatus of FIG. 14A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of measured tape adhesion with increasing weights as a function of tape width.

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of a device for testing and adhesive assembly with a concave shaped face of container, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17A is a top view of a concave shaped container for use with the device of FIG. 16 , according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view of the concave shaped container of FIG. 17A, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of an apparatus to which a packaging container assembly is adhered, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a graphical representation of force and package weight as a function of change in load during item removal versus number of items removed during a ninth experiment.

FIG. 20 is a graphical representation of a comparison of adhesion sensitivity of micro-suction adhesive to pressure-sensitive adhesives.

FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of multiple adhesive assemblies arranged on a same container, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described hereinafter. It should be noted that the specific embodiments are not intended as an exhaustive description or as a limitation to the broader aspects discussed herein. One aspect described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced with any other embodiment(s).
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the elements (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the claims unless otherwise stated. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential.
Packaging containers in which consumer or disposable goods are shipped and contained prior to and during use. The present disclosure also relates to devices that may be attached to packaging containers to prevent movement when items are dispensed. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a packaging container in which consumer and disposable goods are contained and which bear one or more adhesive devices attached to one or more of the outer sides of the packaging container such that one or more of the adhesive devices on the container may be exposed and adhered to a desired substrate surface or substrates such that items may be dispensed without noticeably causing the container to move. Many consumer and disposable products or goods including but not limited to garbage bags, tissue paper, zipper storage bags, microwave steaming bags, disposable gloves, and wet wipes are shipped and packaged in disposable containers that are intended for storing the goods until used and depleted. These packaging containers are often designed to allow a single unit of the contained goods to be removed. Some packaging containers comprise a restrictive device to cause separation of the items or goods to be dispensed. This restrictive device causes forces that require the container to be held by the user. It has been found that the force required by the user to remove a single unit results in the container being lifted off the substrate surface on which it was placed, thereby inhibiting, or preventing, the good to release without the user restraining the container. Thus, persons with limited use of an arm or arms may have difficulty removing items when the container needs to be restrained from moving. In addition, it is often convenient to place containers of tissues, wet wipes, and the like on the floor of vehicles between the driver and passenger seats. Unfortunately, these containers are subject to movement and can become a hazard, especially when they relocate to the area near or under the foot pedals due to the movement of the vehicle. This is both a nuisance and a potential safety hazard for users of the disposable products, in addition to diminishing the ability to release only a single unit of the disposable product at a time. Thus, there is a need for a method to temporarily locate containers containing goods (e.g., disposable products) until the goods are depleted from such containers both for convenience and safety reasons. In addition, there are times when the incompletely depleted container will require to be moved to a new location. U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,206 discloses a double-sided tape having a double-sided, pressure sensitive adhesive tape with a low surface energy phenyl substituted silicone adhesive on one side and a higher surface energy acrylic adhesive on the other. Unfortunately, this technology provides adhesive properties that are unnecessarily restrictive, exceed the requirements of various use applications, and are unnecessarily expensive for use in a disposable application.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,581 is directed to an easily removable, pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having a highly extensible and substantially non-recoverable backing that bears on at least one major surface thereof. The adhesive tape also includes a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive, where the tape can be firmly bonded to a substrate and is removable therefrom after only being stretched at an angle no greater than about 35 degrees from the surface of the substrate. Although this technology could be used to retain disposal packaging on an adherend surface, in practice it is not suitable due to surface preparation requirements and costs related to this sophisticated technology.
In applications where the container is to be adhered to a fabric surface, such as carpet, a non-permanent adhesive or glue may be used herein, with pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) or blends of PSA being preferred. Suitable adhesives include, but are not limited to, Century A-305-I, Instant LOK 34-2823, LA203 and Fuller H-2238ZP as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,810.
Therefore, there is a need for a manner in which to adhere a packaging container to a convenient substrate surface in such a way that the adhesion force will be sufficient to prevent the container from moving while an article is being dispensed yet allow the container to be removed from the substrate surface without marring or damaging the substrate surface.
Disclosed herein, are methods for addressing the aforementioned needs by locating an adherent on the container during manufacturing of the container or during the packing of the container, or which may be applied by the consumer as needed.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, a packaging container, configured for dispensing contained articles or goods individually, is securely held to a substrate surface via a double-sided adhesive, hereafter referred as the “adhesive device,” until the container is moved to a different location or is discarded. The adhesive device may include a layer of adhesive contacting the container and the substrate surface, or the adhesive device may include one or more layers of substrate material and adhesives with one adhesive layer contacting the container and a second adhesive layer contacting the substrate surface. In at least one embodiment, a disposable packaging container for containing a consumer or disposable product includes one or more sides bearing an adhesive device. In various embodiments, the container may be made from one or more material types including, but not limited to, paperboard, paperboard further protected by an extrusion coated polyethylene or other polymeric layer, cardboard, cardboard further protected by an extrusion coated polyethylene or other polymeric layer, corrugated fiberboard, plastic, paper-like material, or paper-like material further protected by an extrusion coated polyethylene or other polymeric layer, and/or other suitable packaging technologies known in the art. Each of these container types may be treated to provide a printed surface. An adhesive device is then adhered to one or more of the sides of the container. The device may be adhered to the container by an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), spray adhesive, hot melt adhesive, or other suitable adhesives as known in the art. The PSA may be a permanent PSA. The second face of the device has an adhesive layer designed to adhere to a substrate surface (adherend) selected by the consumer. The adhesion of the device to the container may preferably be greater than the adhesion of the device to the desired substrate surface. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or nano-suction (also referred to as micro-suction) adhesive device. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive. The second PSA layer is then protected by a release liner to prevent the adhesive from being damaged until required. The device may include a PSA layer applied to the container and protected by a release liner. Micro-suction adhesive tapes may be used in select applications where the substrate surface is smooth. Micro-suction tape may be made from acrylic foam, such as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019/0196539.
In various embodiments, the container and/or a coupled adhesive assembly (where the adhesive assembly includes a PSA) may include one or more release liners (i.e., depending on the configuration of the container), where the release liner is configured to protect the PSA prior to use. In various embodiments, the liners may be a paper, polymer, or any other suitable material known in the art.
Many release liners include a two-sided substrate in which the surface to be in contact with the adhesive that is being protected is modified to provide low bonding energy to the said adhesive. A release surface, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,557 includes hydroxyethyl cellulose and a complex compound of the Werner type in which a trivalent nuclear chromium atom is coordinated with an acyclic carboxylic acid having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms, inclusive. Other such release liners use a silicon-modified surface to attain the desired surface energy (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,710), may include patterning of the release liner substrate to form a structured surface to enhance performance (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,972,670), and others may not include silicon at all (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 9,495,888, which describes a water-based release surface that utilize fluorochemicals).
In at least one embodiment, an adhesive device is configured as a stand-alone double-sided adhesive device, where outer adhesive layers are protected by a release liner to prevent damage or wear on the adhesive (i.e., on the adhesive layers) prior to its intended use. Accordingly, the device may be supplied as a sheet or a roll, where a single layer of release liner is required. The adhesive device may be cut to size in any desired shape by any means known in the art.
In a second embodiment, the adhesive device is applied during a manufacturing process of the container configured to contain goods.
The embodiments shown in the drawings and hereinafter are presented with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered illustrative only, and is not intended to be limiting.
In at least one embodiment, an adhesive assembly includes a double-sided tape, where adhesives of the double-sided tape (i.e., the adhesives disposed on opposing sides of the double-sided tape) have different adhesion properties. In various implementations, this adhesive assembly may be configured to couple to a container on a first side, and couple to a substrate surface on a second side, thereby coupling the container to the substrate surface. Such a configuration may also be used during the manufacturing process.
In an alternative embodiment, the adhesive assembly may be applied to the container during a stage of manufacturing of the container, after the container is formed, or after the container is filled with the product to be removed by a consumer. The adhesive assembly may be applied to the container during a stage of packaging process. In this embodiment, a single layer of adhesive may be applied (e.g., placed, sprayed, etc.) to the container and protected by a release liner. Alternatively, a multi-layer device comprising at least two adhesive layers and a carrier layer may be applied (e.g., placed, sprayed, etc.) to one or more sides of the container. In other embodiments, two layers of differing pressure sensitive adhesives may be applied (e.g., placed, sprayed) to the container prior to or during manufacture of the container or during the packing of the container, where a PSA providing strong adhesion to the container is applied first. Subsequently, a second PSA is applied directly on the first PSA layer, where the second PSA layer is then protected with a protective release layer. The adhesive of first adhesive layer is selected such that its adhesion to the packaging surface is greater than the adhesion of the second adhesive is to stainless steel both being measured by ASTM D3330. These layers of adhesive may be produced in bulk, in solution, or in the melt, using any techniques known to the skilled person for the production of layer structures, more particularly of layers of adhesive. In various embodiments, to prevent delamination, the two PSA layers (i.e., the first layer having a strong adhesion and the second layer, which is applied directly to the first layer) may be chosen such that the bond between the two layers, after any necessary post application treatment (e.g., application of pressure), is of greater strength than the adhesive strength between exposed PSA and stainless steel as per ASTM D3330. As a non-limiting example, the PSA in contact with the container (i.e., the first layer) may be an acrylic based PSA and the exposed PSA (i.e., the second layer) may be a rubber-based PSA. In various embodiments, no carrier layer is used and one or more layers of PSA may be directly coated or layered to each other.
In another embodiment, a multi-layer adhesive assembly includes at least two exposed adhesive layers and a layer comprising a foam core. This assembly structure is particularly advantageous when the adhesive assembly is being applied to a container with a depression in the surface, such as is often found in cylindrical plastic containers which, for example, are often used to contain disposable wipes. This structure is also useful when deploying the device to a flexible surface such as a paperboard container. Although intended for use by the consumer, the adhesive assembly may be deployed during the manufacturing process.
It is assumed throughout the present disclosure that the substrate surface to which the container and adhesive assembly will be attached will be substantially free of grease, water, and particulates. The adhesive assembly may be configured to temporarily adhere to common domestic surfaces including but not limited to glass, metal (e.g., stainless steel, copper, etc.), laminate having a melamine surface (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,284,432, Formica® brand laminate), bare wood (e.g., western red cedar, redwood, oak, maple, pine, fir, etc.), painted or varnished wood, natural stone (e.g., granite, slate, etc.), and manufactured countertops made from acrylic resin and crushed stone (e.g., Coriang). In the case of wood, the varnish may be a shellac, polyurethane coating, oil-based coating (e.g., Tung oil, Danish oil, etc.), and the paint may be an oil based paint (e.g., alkyd or natural oil such as linseed) or water based latex paint. The paint latex may include acrylic polymer and/or polyvinyl acetate. Surfaces including a melamine surface such as melamine coated particle board may be used. Hard board of any type may be used. The adhesive assembly may also be deployed on short fiber materials such as bedding and carpet. The adhesive assembly may also be deployed on carpet such as that found in automobiles. In various implementations, a surface energy of the substrate surface (i.e., to which the adhesive assembly is configured to adhere) is greater than 30 mN/m. In various embodiments, the adhesive assembly may adhere to non-stick surfaces such as Teflon with surface energies less than 30 mN/m. In embodiments where surface energies are less than 30 mN/M, the adhesive assembly may be deployed with a silicon PSA. In various embodiments, the adhesive assembly may be used with various release liners, such as release liners including silicone-coated 54 lb. Bleached Kraft Paper (3.2 mil/0.08 mm). Other carrier layers (substrates) known the art which may be used include, but are not limited to, Super calendered Kraft paper (SCK) (typically used for labels in the USA), Glassine (i.e., a SCK paper typically with a polyvinyl alcohol top coat) (typically used for labels in Europe), Clay coated Kraft paper (CCK) or coated paper, Machine finished Kraft paper (MFK) (i.e., paper as it comes from a standard paper machine), Machine glazed paper (MG) (i.e., paper which has been glazed, such as on a Yankee cylinder of a paper machine), a biaxially oriented PET film (BO-PET) having a very high temperature-resistant and tough film liner, or a biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BOPP). In other implementations other polyolefins may be used that are made out of high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), or polypropylene (PP) plastic resins.
A first form of a first embodiment of the adhesive assembly 100 is configured to be applied to a face of a packaging container (e.g., box, tub, carton, formed bag, etc.) by the consumer. In the first embodiment, the adhesive assemblies 100 and 200 include five components that are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 . A first outermost component 101 (“layer 1”), as shown in FIG. 1 , or component 201 (“layer 1”), as shown in FIG. 2 may be a release liner. In various embodiments, the release liner may include silicone-coated 54 lb. Bleached Kraft Paper (3.2 mil/0.08 mm). The component 101, 201 (i.e., layer 1) may be adhered to a second outermost component 102 (“layer 2”), as shown in FIG. 1 , or component 202 (“layer 2”), as shown in FIG. 2 , where the component 101, 201 may be a pressure sensitive adhesive film. Component 102, 202 (“layer 2”) may be coupled to or disposed on a carrier layer 103 (“layer 3”), as shown in FIG. 1 , or carrier layer 203 (“layer 3”), as shown in FIG. 2 . The carrier layer 103, 203 may be a flexible substrate such as paper, plastic film, foam, polyester film, cloth or metal foil. In various embodiments, different adhesives may be disposed on either side of the carrier layer 103, 203, which may include non-woven materials (e.g., non-woven polypropylene, non-woven glass mattes) or open mesh materials (e.g., glass-fiber meshes). In various embodiments, the carrier layer 103, 203 (“layer 3”) may be a reinforced structure, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,248. An adhesive film 104 (“layer 4”), as shown in FIG. 1 , or adhesive film 204 (“layer 4”), as shown in FIG. 2 , may be disposed upon carrier layer 103 or 203, respectively. A release liner 105 (“layer 5”), as shown in FIG. 1 , or release liner 205 (“layer 5), as shown in FIG. 2 , may be a paper release liner, silicone coated release liner, or any other suitable release liner type known in the art. In various embodiments, the outermost component 102, 202 (“layer 2”) is configured to face a surface of a substrate to which the container is to be attached (i.e., when the adhesive assembly 100, 200 is deployed) and the adhesive film 104, 204 (“layer 4”) will face the container. In various embodiments, the adhesive assembly 100, 200 may have no carrier layer 103, 203, where the component 102, 202 is adhered to the adhesive film 104, 204.
In various embodiments, the first outermost component 101, 201 (“layer 1”) is a release liner, which includes a material that is readily separable (e.g., by peeling away) from the second outermost component 102, 202 (“layer 2”), where the second outermost component 102, 202 includes a pressure sensitive adhesive. The first outermost component 101, 201 (“layer 1”) is necessary to protect the second outermost component 102, 202 (“layer 2”) from damage. Accordingly, the first outermost component 101, 201 protects the second outermost component 102, 202 until the adhesive properties of the second outermost component 102, 202 are desired for use. Once the first outermost component 101, 201 is removed, the second outermost component 102, 202 will adhere to the substrate surface and to the carrier layer 103, 203 (“layer 3”). The carrier layer 103, 203 may be a paper, cardboard, paper-like, or polyester film, a foam structure, or other substrate as known in the art that adheres to both the second outermost layer 102, 202 and the adhesive film 104, 204 (“layer 4”). The adhesive film 104, 204 includes an adhesive that has a higher adhesion strength than an adhesion strength of the second outermost component 102, 202 to their respective adherend substrates. For example, the second outermost layer 102, 202 may be configured to adhere to a support surface (e.g., countertop, wall, etc.) and the adhesive film 104, 204 may be configured to adhere to a surface of the container. In another example, the second outermost layer 102, 202 may be configured to adhere to a surface of the container and the adhesive film 104, 204 may be configured to adhere to a support surface. The difference in adhesion strengths facilitates removal of the container from the substrate surface without leaving the adhesive assembly on the substrate surface. A release liner 105, 205 (“layer 5”) includes a material that is readily removable from the adhesive film 104, 204 (e.g., by peeling away). The release liner 105, 205 protects (i.e., covers) the adhesive film 104, 204 from damage prior to use. In various embodiments, the adhesive forces of the carrier layer 103, 203 to the second outermost layer 102, 202 and the adhesive film 104, 204 are greater than the adhesive force between each of outermost layer 102, 202 and the adhesive film 104, 204 to their respective surfaces. The physical properties of the outermost component 102, 202 and the adhesive film 104, 204 will be described in detail below.
After removal of the first outermost component 101, 202 (“layer 1) (e.g., by a user of the adhesive assembly), the second outermost component 102, 202 (“layer 2”) will adhere the container, via the carrier layer 103, 203 and the adhesive film 104, 204, to the desired surface. The second outermost layer 102, 202 (“layer 2”) may be a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or micro-suction adhesive. In various embodiments, the second outermost layer 102, 202 is a PSA. In various embodiments, the PSA forms a temporary bond such that when the container is removed from the desired surface, little or no trace of the PSA remains on the surface and no damage to the surface is visible. In various embodiments, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PSA is in the range of −20° C. to −80° C. In some embodiments, rubber, acrylic, or silicone types of PSA, or any suitable combination thereof may be used. In other embodiments, the PSA may include any other known polymer or compound known in the art.
After removal of the release liner 105, 205 (e.g., by the user), the adhesive film 104, 204 will adhere the adhesive assembly 100, 200 to the container which the adhesive assembly 100, 200 is to be applied. In various embodiments, a bond between the adhesive assembly 100, 200 and the container is a permanent or temporary bond. In various embodiments, the PSA may be a rubber PSA, an acrylic PSA, silicone PSA, or a combination of any two or more thereof. In various embodiments, the adhesive film 104, 204 adheres to the container more strongly than the second outermost component 102, 202 adheres to the substrate surface. In various embodiments, neither the adhesive 104, 204 nor the outermost component 102, 202 releases when a maximum force required to remove an item (e.g., good) from the container occurs. In various embodiments, an adhesive strength of adhesive film 104, 204 is higher than that of the second outermost component 102, 202, as this facilitates removal of the entire container and adhesive assembly 100, 200 from the substrate surface. The adhesive of the first adhesive layer is selected such that its adhesion to the packaging surface (i.e., a surface of the container) is greater than the adhesion of the second adhesive is to stainless steel both being measured by ASTM D3330.
In another embodiment, an adhesive assembly 300 may be configured as a roll. The adhesive assembly 300 may include four components, as shown in FIG. 3 . The first outermost component 301 (“layer 1”) is a release liner. In various embodiments, the first outermost component 301 may include silicone-coated 54 lb. Bleached Kraft Paper (3.2 mil/0.08 mm). The first outermost component 301 is configured to adhere to a second outermost component 302 (“layer 2”), which is a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The second outermost component 302 (“layer 2) is disposed on a carrier layer 303 (“layer 3”), which may be, or include, a paper, plastic film, foam, polyester film, cloth, metal foil, or a combination of any two or more thereof. In some embodiments where different adhesives are disposed on either side of the carrier layer 303, non-woven materials, such as non-woven polypropylene, non-woven glass mattes and open mesh materials such as glass-fiber meshes may be used. In various embodiments, the carrier layer 303 may be a reinforced structure (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,248A). An adhesive film 304 (“layer 4”) is disposed on the carrier layer 303 (“layer 3”). These layers (i.e., layers 3 and 4) are then fabricated in a roll geometry, such that the first outermost component 301 (“layer 1”) is in contact with the adhesive film 304, as shown in FIG. 3 . In various embodiments, each of the layers can have perforations, which may facilitate dividing the roll into discrete segments. The outermost component 301 (“layer 1”) may be slit or otherwise modified as known in the art for ease of removal.
After removal of the first outermost component 301 (“layer 1”) by the user, the second outermost component (“layer 2”) will adhere the container (i.e., via the carrier layer 303 and the adhesive film 304), to the desired surface. In various embodiments, the second outermost component 302 (“layer 2”) may be a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or micro-suction adhesive. In some embodiments, the PSA may form a temporary bond such that when the container is removed, little or no trace of the adhesive remains on the surface and no damage to the surface is visible. In various embodiments, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PSA is in the range of −20° C. to −80° C. In some embodiments, rubber, acrylic, or silicone types of PSA, or any suitable combination thereof may be used. In other embodiments, the PSA may include any other known polymer or compound known in the art.
The adhesive film 304 may be configured to adhere the adhesive assembly 300 to the container that it is to be applied. In various embodiments, the adhesive film 304 may adhere to the container via a permanent or temporary bond. In some embodiments, the PSA may be a rubber PSA, an acrylic PSA, silicone PSA, or a combination of any two or more thereof. In various embodiments, the adhesive film 304 is configured to adhere to the container more strongly than the second outermost component 302 adheres to the substrate surface. In various embodiments, neither the adhesive film 304 nor the second outermost component 302 releases when a maximum force required to remove an item (e.g., good) from the container occurs. In various embodiments, an adhesive strength of the adhesive film 304 is higher than that of the second outermost component 302, which may facilitate removal of the entire container and adhesive assembly 300 from the substrate surface.
In further embodiments, an adhesive assembly 400 or 500 may be attached to a container 406 (FIG. 4 ) or 506 (FIG. 5 ) for consumer or disposable goods by a manufacturer of the goods prior to sale. In various embodiments, the adhesive assemblies 400 and 500 may include five components, and are respectively shown in the FIGS. 4 and 5 . A component within the adhesive assembly 400, 500 that is furthest removed from the container 406, 506 is a release liner (release liner 401 in FIG. 4 and release liner 501 in FIG. 5Error! Reference source not found.). In various embodiments, the release liner 401, 501 includes a silicone-based material. The release liner 401, 501 may be adhered to a second outermost layer, which includes a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), and which is shown as the second outermost layer 402 in FIG. 4 and the second outermost layer 502 in FIG. 5 . The second outermost layer 402, 502 is disposed on a carrier layer (shown as carrier layer 403 in FIG. 4 and carrier layer 503 in FIG. 5 ). In various embodiments, the carrier layer 403, 503 may be a flexible substrate such as paper, plastic film, foam, polyester film, cloth, or metal foil, or a combination of any two or more thereof. In various embodiments, different adhesives are disposed on either side of the carrier layer, which may include non-woven materials, such as non-woven polypropylene, non-woven glass mattes and open mesh materials such as glass-fiber meshes. In various embodiments, the carrier layer 403, 503 may be a reinforced structure (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,248). The adhesive assembly 400, 500 also includes an adhesive film (shown as adhesive film 404 in FIG. 4 and adhesive film 504 in FIG. 5 ), which may be disposed on the carrier layer 403, 503. The adhesive film 404, 504 is also adhered to a face of the packaging container (shown as face 405 in FIG. 4 and face 505 in FIG. 5 ) to which the adhesive assembly 400, 500 is applied. The adhesive film 404, 504 may be attached to the face 405, 505 permanently. In various embodiments, the adhesive film 404, 505 adheres to the face 405, 505 more strongly than the second outermost component 402, 502 adheres to the substrate surface. In various embodiments, neither the second outermost component 402, 502 nor the adhesive film 404, 505 releases when a maximum force required to remove an item from the container 406, 506 occurs. In various embodiments, an adhesive strength of the adhesive film 404, 504 is higher than that of the second outermost component 402, 502, which facilitates removal of the entire container 406, 506 and adhesive assembly 400, 500 from the substrate surface. In various embodiments, the container 406, 506 includes a fibrous material (e.g., paperboard) and an area of the face 405, 505 of the container 400, 500, which will receive the adhesive film 404, 505 may be uncoated to promote adhesion to the container.
In various embodiments, the first outermost component 401, 501 is a release liner, which includes a material that is readily removable (e.g., by peeling away) from the second outermost component, which includes a pressure sensitive adhesive. In various embodiments, the first outermost component 401, 501 is configured to protect the second outermost component 402, 502 from damage until it is desired for use. The second outermost component 402, 502 will adhere to the substrate surface and to the carrier layer 403, 503. In various embodiments, the carrier layer 403, 503 may be a paper, cardboard, paper-like or polyester film, a foam structure, or other substrate known in the art that adheres to both the second outermost component 402, 502 and the adhesive film 404, 504. In various embodiments, the adhesive film 404, 504 has a higher adhesive strength to the intended surface to which it will be adhered to as compared to an adhesive strength of the second outermost component 402, 502 to the intended surface where it will be adhered. In various embodiments, the higher adhesive strength of the adhesive film 404, 504 relative to the second outermost component 402, 502 facilitates removal of the container 400, 500 from the substrate surface without leaving the adhesive assembly on the substrate surface. As described above, the face 405, 505 is a face of the container 406, 506. In various embodiments, the adhesive forces of the carrier layer 403, 503 to the second outermost component 402, 502 and the adhesive film 404, 504 are preferably greater than an adhesive force between each of the second outermost component 402, 502 and the adhesive film 404, 504 and their respective adherend surfaces.
After removal of the first outermost component 401, 501 (“layer 1”) by the user, the second outermost component 402, 502 (“layer 2”) will adhere the container face 405, 505 (“layer 5”), via the carrier layer 403, 503 (“layer 3”) and the adhesive film 404, 504 (“layer 4”), to the desired surface. In various embodiments, the second outermost component 402, 502 is a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). In some embodiments, the PSA may form a temporary bond such that when the container is removed, little or no trace of the adhesive remains on the surface and no damage to the surface is visible. In some embodiments, a glass transition temperature, Tg, of the PSA is in the range of −20° C. to −80° C. In various embodiments, rubber, acrylic, or silicone types of PSA, or any suitable combination may be used. In other embodiments, the PSA may include any other known polymer or compound known in the art.
The adhesive film 404, 504 is configured to adhere the adhesive assembly to the container 406, 506, to which it is to be applied. This may be a permanent or temporary bond. The PSA may be a rubber PSA, an acrylic PSA, silicone PSA, or a combination of any two or more thereof. In various embodiments, the adhesive film 404, 504 may adhere to the container 406, 506 more strongly than the second outermost component 402, 502 adheres to the substrate surface. In various embodiments, neither the second outermost component 402, 502 nor the adhesive film 404, 504 releases when a maximum force required to remove an item from the container 406, 506 occurs. In various embodiments, an adhesive strength of the adhesive film 404, 504 is higher than that of the second outermost component 402, 502 to facilitate removal of the entire container 406, 506 and adhesive assembly from the substrate surface.
In various embodiments, an adhesive assembly includes three components. Adhesive assembly 600 and adhesive assembly 700 are respectively shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . A component (shown as the first component 601 in FIG. 6Error! Reference source not found. and as first component 701 in FIG. 7 ), furthest from a container (shown as container 604 in FIG. 6 and container 704 in FIG. 7 ) is a release liner. In various embodiments, the first component 601, 701 includes a silicone treated paper substrate, which may be silicone-coated 54 lb. Bleached Kraft Paper (3.2 mil/0.08 mm). The first component 601, 701 is adhered to a second outermost layer (shown as second component 602 in FIG. 6 and second component 702 in FIG. 7 ). In various embodiments, the second component 602, 702 includes a pressure sensitive adhesive, which while in use, will adhere the face of the container 604, 704 to the substrate surface. In various embodiments, the second component 602, 702 is a double-sided adhesive. In various embodiments, the second component 602, 702 is disposed onto the face of the container 604, 704 by any means known in the art. In various embodiments, the container 604, 704 includes a fibrous material (e.g., paperboard) and an area of the face of said container 604, 704 (i.e., “layer 3”), which is configured to receive the second component 602, 702, may be uncoated to promoting adhesion to the container 604, 704. In various embodiments, the second component 602, 702 may be applied as a spray-on adhesive. For example, in various implementations, the adhesive assemblies 600, 700 may be formed by spraying an adhesive onto the container 604, 704 to form the second component 602, 702. The first component 601, 701 may then be applied or otherwise coupled to the second component 602, 702 to protect the adhesive surface until the assembly 600, 700 is ready for use, at which point the first component 601, 701 may be removed and the second component 602, 702 may be coupled or otherwise adhered to a support surface or substrate. In other embodiments, the second component 602, 702 may be applied as a laminar structure that is couplable to the first component 601, 701 and/or the packaging container substrate face 603, 703.
After removal of the first component 601, 701 (“layer 1”), the second component 602, 702 (i.e., the pressure sensitive adhesive “layer 2”) will bond the container 604, 704 via its face (i.e., “layer 3”) to the desired substrate surface. In various embodiments, the second component 602, 702 forms a temporary bond with the substrate surface such that when the container 604, 704 is removed from the surface on which it is located, little or no trace of the adhesive remains on the surface and no damage to the surface is visible. In some embodiments, a glass transition temperature, Tg, of the PSA is in the range of −20° C. to −80° C. In some embodiments, rubber, acrylic, or silicone types of PSA, or any combination thereof may be used. In other embodiments, the PSA may include any other known polymer or compound known in the art. In various embodiments, the second component 602, 702 (“layer 2”) may include one or more layers of adhesive, where a layer contacting the face of the container 604, 704 has a higher adhesive strength to the container 604, 704 than an adhesive strength of the PSA layer contacting the desired surface.
In another embodiment, an adhesive assembly 800 includes a foam core. In various embodiments, the adhesive assembly 800 includes nine components, as shown in FIG. 8 . The adhesive assembly 800 may be a resiliently compressible structure and includes a resiliently compressible foam layer, where the foam layer readily regains its original shape after bending, stretching, compression, or other deformation. In particular, the foam layer may be resiliently compressible after removal of all release liners. As shown in FIG. 8 , the adhesive assembly 800 includes an outermost component 801, which is a release liner. In various embodiments, the outermost component 801 may include 54 lb. Bleached Kraft Paper, silicone-coated both sides (3.2 mil/0.08 mm). The outermost component 801 (“layer 1”) is adhered to a second outermost component 802 (“layer 2”), which is or includes a pressure sensitive adhesive film, and which is disposed on an outer carrier layer 803 (“layer 3”). In various embodiments, the outer carrier layer 803 may be a flexible carrier, such as paper, plastic film, foam, polyester film, cloth, or metal foil. In various embodiments, non-woven materials, such as non-woven polypropylene, non-woven glass mattes, and open mesh materials such as glass-fiber meshes may be used. In some embodiments, the carrier layer 803 may be a reinforced structure (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,248). The outer carrier layer 803 is located between the second outermost component 802 (i.e., the pressure sensitive adhesive “layer 2”) and an adhesive film 804 (“layer 4”). A foamed polymer 805 (“layer 5”), which is disposed on the adhesive film 804, is a resiliently compressible foamed polymer, and which may be a foamed crosslinked material. In various embodiments, the foamed cross-linked material may be a natural rubber or ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, or a foamed high-pressure low-density polyethylene (LDPE), where the polymer used to make the foam has a density ranging from approximately 0.917 g/cc to approximately 0.930 g/cc. Other polyethylene compositions such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,793 may be used to form the foam layer. In various embodiments, the cross-linked foam layer 805 (“layer 5”) may be formed by any means known in the art (e.g., such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,649,001, 5,053,438 and 8,481,155). In some embodiments, resiliently compressible polyurethane foam may be used. In other embodiments, resiliently compressible closed cell acrylic foam may be used. In yet other embodiments, a minimum thickness of the foamed polymer 805 (“layer 5”) is approximately ⅛ inch. The surfaces of the foam layer may be advantageously treated to enhance the bonding of the adhesive using methods known in the art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0143685.
A flexible adhesive 806 (“layer 6”) is bound to the adhesive film 804 via the foamed polymer 805. In various embodiments, thermoset adhesives are not appropriate for use with the adhesive assembly 800. The adhesive assembly 800 includes a carrier layer 807 (“layer 7”), a pressure sensitive adhesive 808 (“layer 8”), and a release liner 809, as shown in FIG. 8 . In various embodiments, when the second outermost component 802 (“layer 2”) is deployed, it will face the surface to which the container is to be attached and pressure sensitive adhesive 808 will face the container. In various embodiments, the outermost component 801 (“layer 1”) and the release layers 809 (“layer 9”) may include the same materials.
As described above, the outermost component 801 (“layer 1”) is a release liner, which includes a material that is readily removable (e.g., by peeling) from the second outermost component 802 (“layer 2”). The outermost component 801 is configured to protect the second outermost component 802 (and the other layers within the adhesive assembly 800) from damage. Further, the outermost component 801 protects the second outermost component until it is desired for use. In various embodiments, the second outermost component 802 is configured to adhere the remaining layers within the adhesive assembly 800 to the desired substrate surface. In various embodiments, the carrier layer 803 may be a paper, paper-like or polyester film, woven or non-woven fabric, or other substrate as known in the art that acts to adhere to both the second outermost component 802 and the adhesive film 804. In various embodiments, the adhesive film 804 has a higher adhesion strength to the foamed polymer 805 than an adhesion strength of the second outermost component 802 to its intended surface. In various embodiments, the foamed polymer (“layer 5”) is a resiliently compressible foamed polymer that allows the adhesive assembly 800 to conform to a shape of the container face and a shape of the desired surface substrate. In particular, this configuration of the adhesive assembly is useful for containers with concave surfaces, such as at the bottom of cylindrical plastic containers. In various embodiments, the flexible adhesive 806 may be the same adhesive as that used in the adhesive film 804. In various embodiments, an adhesion of the flexible adhesive 806 (“layer 6”) to the foamed polymer (“layer 5”) is greater than an adhesion of the second outermost component 802 (“layer 2”) to its intended surface, and the surfaces of the foam layer may be advantageously treated to enhance the bonding of the adhesive using methods known in the art (e.g., such as those described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0143685). In various embodiments, the carrier layer 807 (“layer 7”) may be a paper, paper-like or polyester film, woven or non-woven fabric, or other substrate as known in the art that adheres to both the flexible adhesive 806 and the pressure sensitive adhesive 808. In various embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive 808 (“layer 8”) is configured to adhere the adhesive assembly 800 to the face of the container, from which the items are to be dispensed. In various embodiments, the release liner 809 is configured to protect the pressure sensitive adhesive 808 prior to use. In some embodiments, the release liner 809 may be the same as the outermost component 801. In various embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive 808 adheres to the container more strongly than the second outermost component 802 adheres to the substrate surface. In various embodiments, neither the pressure sensitive adhesive 808 nor the second outermost component 802 releases when a maximum force required to remove an item from the container occurs. In various embodiments, an adhesive strength of the pressure sensitive adhesive 808 is higher than that of the second outermost component 802, which facilitates removal of the entire container and adhesive assembly 800 from the substrate surface. In various embodiments, at least one of layers 802, 804, 806, 808 may be applied as a spray-on adhesive. In other embodiments, at least one of the layers 802, 804, 806, 808 may be applied as laminar structure.
In some embodiments, the second outermost component 802 forms a temporary bond such that when the container is removed little or no trace of the adhesive remains on the surface and no damage to the surface is visible. A glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PSA may be in the range of −20° C. to −80° C. In various embodiments, rubber, acrylic or silicone types of PSA, or any suitable combination thereof may be used. In other embodiments, the PSA may include any other known polymer or compound known in the art.
In another embodiment, an adhesive assembly 900 includes 5 components, as shown in FIG. 9 . The adhesive assembly 900 includes an outermost component 901, which is a release liner. In various embodiments, the outermost component 901 includes a silicone treated substrate for example silicone-coated 54 lb. Bleached Kraft Paper (3.2 mil/0.08 mm). The outermost component 901 is configured to adhere to a second outermost component 902, which may be a pressure sensitive adhesive film disposed on a foamed polymer 903. In various embodiments, the foamed polymer 903 may be a resiliently compressible foamed polymer including a foamed crosslinked material such as natural rubber or EPDM rubber, or a foamed high-pressure low-density polyethylene (LDPE), where the polymer used to make the foamed polymer 903 has a density ranging from approximately 0.917 g/cc to approximately 0.930 g/cc. In other embodiments, other polyethylene compositions (e.g., such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,793) may be used to form the foamed polymer 903. In yet other embodiments, the foamed polymer 903 may be formed using other methods (e.g., such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,649,001, 5,053,438, and 8,481,155). In some embodiments, resiliently compressible polyurethane foam may be used and/or resiliently compressible closed cell acrylic foam may be used. In some embodiments, a minimum thickness of the foamed polymer 903 may be approximately ⅛ inch. The adhesive assembly 900 also includes a pressure sensitive adhesive film 904 (“layer 4”) disposed on an alternate side of foamed polymer 903. The surfaces of the foam layer may be advantageously treated to enhance the bonding of the adhesive using methods known in the art (e.g., such as those described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0143685). The adhesive assembly 900 also includes a release liner 905 (“layer 5”), as shown in FIG. 9 . In various embodiments, the second outermost component 902, when the adhesive assembly 900 is deployed, faces the surface to which the container is to be attached, and the adhesive film 904 will face the container. In some embodiments, the outermost component 901 and the release liner 905 may be the same. In various embodiments, the second outermost component 902 has an adhesive strength that is greater than or equal to that of the adhesive film 904.
As described above, the outermost component 901 is a release liner, which includes a material that is readily removable (e.g., by peeling away) from the second outermost component 902. The outermost component 901 is configured to protect the second outermost component 902 and the other layers within the adhesive assembly 900 from damage. Further, the first outermost component 901 protects the second outermost component 902 until desired for use. The second outermost component 902 is configured to adhere the remaining layers within the adhesive assembly 900 to facilitate mounting the container to the desired substrate surface. As described above, the foamed polymer 903 may be a resiliently compressible foamed polymer that allows the adhesive assembly 900 to conform to a shape of the container face and a shape of the desired surface substrate. The configuration of the adhesive assembly 900 is useful for containers with concave surfaces, such as at the bottom of cylindrical plastic containers. In various embodiments, the second outermost component 902 may adhere more strongly to the foamed polymer 903 than to the desired surface. As described above, the adhesive film 904 adheres to the container more strongly than the second outermost component 902 adheres to the substrate surface. In various embodiments, neither the second outermost component 902 nor the adhesive film 904 releases in response to when a maximum force required to remove an item from the container occurs. In various embodiments, an adhesive strength of the adhesive film 904 is higher than that of the second outermost component 902 as this facilitates removal of the entire container and adhesive assembly 900 from the substrate surface. In various embodiments, the adhesive film 904 (i.e., the pressure sensitive “layer 4”) adheres more strongly to the foamed polymer 903 than to the desired surface.
In various embodiments, the second outermost component 902 (i.e., the pressure sensitive adhesive “layer 2”) forms a temporary bond such that when the container is removed, little or no trace of the adhesive remains on the surface and no damage to the surface is visible. In some embodiments, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PSA is in a range of −20° C. to −80° C. In some embodiments, rubber, acrylic, or silicone types of PSA, or any suitable combination thereof may be used with acrylic PSA. In other embodiments, the PSA may include any other known polymer or compound known in the art.
In various embodiments, an adhesive assembly may have a variety of sizes and shapes. In some embodiments, the adhesive assembly may be applied to a container during the container manufacturing process, or during the packing process of the container. Accordingly, a size and/or shape of the adhesive assembly may be dependent on a geometry of the packaging container face it is adhered to, which may include but is not limited to rectangles, squares, polygons, or circles. In various embodiments, the adhesive assembly may have the same (or smaller) physical dimensions as the substrate face of the container which it is adhered to. In various embodiments, an area of the adhesive assembly may range from 100% of an area of the attached face of the container to 25 mm². In cases where the adhesive assembly has a polygonal shape, the assembly can have angular corners or rounded corners. The adhesive assembly maybe located at or near a perimeter of the face of the container, such as on at least two opposing sides. Accordingly, a single container can have multiple faces bearing adhesive assemblies.
In embodiments where the adhesive assembly includes release liners and adhesives, release liner layers may be formed using means known in the art, such as slitting the release paper, having the release paper extend beyond the edge of the adhesive surface, and the like. Such methods facilitate easier removal of the release liner from the adhesive. Adhesive assemblies 1000 and 1100 are respectively shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , according to various exemplary embodiments. A release liner (“layer 1”)(shown as release liner 1001 in FIG. 10Error! Reference source not found. and as release liner 1101 in FIG. 11 ) has physical dimensions greater than a protected pressure sensitive adhesive (“layer 2”) (shown as pressure sensitive adhesive 1002 in FIG. 10 and as pressure sensitive adhesiveError! Reference source not found. 1101 in FIG. 11Error! Reference source not found.). The pressure sensitive adhesive 1002, 1102 may be in contact with the packaging container substrate face (“layer 3”) (shown as face 1003 in FIG. 10 and as face 1103 in FIG. 11 ), which has the largest physical dimensions.
In various embodiments, the adhesive assemblies 1000, 1100 may include printed labelling on any release layer with instructions describing proper use of the adhesive assembly 1000, 1100. In various embodiments, the adhesive assembly 1000, 1100 may be configured such that the release liner (i.e., “layer 1”) is color-coded or otherwise modified to indicate an appropriate use (e.g., a specific use application or order of application) of the exposed surface once the release liner is removed.
In various embodiments, an adhesive assembly 1201 may include one or more perforations 1202 to allow customizable sizes of the assembly 1201 to be created. In various embodiments, the perforations 1202 may divide the adhesive device 1201 into a grid-like array, such as shown in FIG. 12 . In other embodiments, an adhesive device 1301 may include one or more perforations 1302 that have circular patterns, which may be configured to fit the desired container, as shown in Error! Reference source not found.. Other perforation patterns can be used as necessary.
The present invention, thus generally described, will be understood more readily by reference to the following examples, which are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Experiments determining mechanical and physical properties for adhesive layers were conducted. The illustrative examples are not intended to be limiting. There exist many possible ways to construct an adhesive assembly as a two-sided structure. In particular, in an industrial manufacturing process, an adhesive assembly including two-sided tape would have a single flexible support (“face stock” or “carrier layer”) with the desired PSA layers applied to that face stock. These experiments are outlined below. All measurements originally quoted in engineering units (inches) were converted to mm and rounded to the nearest mm. A weigh scale used was a Chestnut Tools Model 09A0410 supplied by LeeValley Tools, Canada. A maximum load specification of the scale was 5000 g. Various examples of double-sided adhesive devices were fabricated to demonstrate the utility of adhesive assemblies. For example, an adhesive assembly having a foam core was tested, where the assembly includes a one single-sided tape and two layers of double-sided tape, as shown in FIG. 16 .
Five types of single sided tapes were used as listed in Table 1: MT1—Scotch Blue #2090 (3M, St Paul, MN); MT2—Ace Clean Release® Painter's Tape (ACE Hardware Corp., Oak Brook, IL); MT3—3M Extreme Hold #2800 (3M, St Paul, MN); MT4—3M No Residue #2400 (3M, St Paul, MN); MT5—Scotch Contractor Grade #2020 (3M, St Paul, MN).
Each single-sided tape had a width of 1.875 inch (47 mm). Double sided tapes used are listed in Table 1, including: DST1—Shurtape Indoor/Outdoor Carpet Tape #76244 (Shurtape Technologies LLC, Hickory, NC), a double sided carpet tape comprising PSA adhesive on a fiberglass mesh—1.785 inch (47 mm) wide; DST2—3M Mounting Tape—1 inch (25 mm) wide (3M, St Paul, MN) comprising an elastic polymeric face stock approximately 0.125″ thick; DST3: APT Double Sided Carpet Tape (Advanced Polymer Tape, Newmarket ON, Canada) 2 inch (50 mm) wide on paper stock; DST4: Airstick Micro-suction tape by Sewell, 1.35 inch (34 mm) wide, 0.02 inch (0.5 mm) thick (Sewell Direct, Provo UT). This tape comprises an acrylic PSA applied to one side of the micro-suction polymer tape. Sides of this tape are denoted DST4a as the micro-suction side and DST4b as the acrylic PSA side.

TABLE 1

Tapes used during testing of adhesive devices.

Tape type	Tape sample

MT1	Scotch Blue #2090 (3M, St Paul, MN)
MT2	Ace Clean Release ® Painter's Tape (ACE Hardware Corp.,
	Oak Brook, IL)
MT3	3M Extreme Hold #2800 (3M, St Paul, MN)
MT4	3M No Residue # 2400 (3M, St Paul, MN)
MT5	Scotch Contractor Grade #2020 (3M, St Paul, MN)
DST1	Shurtape Indoor/Outdoor Carpet Tape #76244 (Shurtape
	Technologies LLC, Hickory, NC)
DST2	3M Mounting Tape (3M, St Paul, MN)
DST3	APT Double-Sided Carpet Tape (Advanced Polymer Tape,
	Newmarket ON, Canada)
DST4	Airstick Micro-suction tape by Sewell (Sewell Direct,
	Provo UT)

The adhesive force of tapes as measured by ASTM D3330/D3330M—04(2018) is shown in Table 2. All tests were performed using stainless steel as substrate.

TABLE 2

Tape adhesion strength as measured by ASTM D3330A.

Tape type	Tape sample	Test method	Force (oz-force/in)

MT1	3M Scotch Blue #2090	Method A	17
MT2	Ace Clean Release	Method A	26
MT3	3M Extreme Hold tape	Method A	87

Alternatively, the adhesive force of the tapes may be measured using a Method Z. It will be understood that the resulting measurements are determined based on the adhesive, the thickness of the adhesive, and the face stock (e.g., paper, polymer film, mesh, etc.). In this regard, this is similar to the results obtained by ASTM D3330 (“Method A”).
FIGS. 14A and 14B show a test setup for determining adhesive forces. The adherend substrate surface (“sheet”) 1420 used in Method Z is mild steel, also referred to as plain steel (e.g. Everbilt™ 16 gauge, 6″×18″, Home Depot, part number 475130). The sheet 1420 was scored with two score lines 1410 separated by about 1 inch (25 mm), as shown in FIG. 14A The top line of the score lines 1410 is a minimum of 2 inches (50 mm) from a lower edge of the sheet 1420. The sheet is conditioned initially and every time thereafter when no useable unused surface remains after testing. Conditioning is done using the following protocol: a surface of the sheet 1420 is cleaned using #000 steel wool with a generous amount of 90% isopropyl alcohol (IPA). In the case of difficult to remove residual adhesives, such as acrylic adhesives, a stronger solvent may be needed such as methyl ethyl ketone, followed by IPA. After cleaning the sheet 1420 with the steel wool, the surface is wiped dry with a paper towel. The surface of the sheet 1420 is then wetted with IPA and again wiped dry. The surface is then wiped with a dry paper towel. The sheet is then placed in an electrically heated oven at 220° F. (104° C.) for 10 minutes. The oven may be heated to 220° F. for at least 10 minutes prior to inserting the steel sheet. The steel sheet 1420 is then removed and allowed to return to room temperature (i.e., 70±3° F. or 21±1.5° C.) for at least 4 hours. It will be understood that other widths of the metal sheet 1420 are acceptable, with a minimum width of the sheet 1420 being ¾ inch (19 mm). A minimum height of the sheet 1420 may be 10 inches (25 cm). The sheet 1420 may be hung vertically using any suitable method. A tape sample 1405 to be tested may then be adhered vertically on an area of fresh steel on the sheet 1420 that has not been used for a previous test since conditioning. The sample is adhered as shown FIGS. 14A-B. The tape sample 1405 need only be firmly adhered to the sheet 1420 between the score lines 1410. In some implementations, the tape sample 1405 may be lightly adhered to the sheet 1420 through a complete length of the tape sample 1405 defined between X and Y, as shown in FIG. 14A, and then firmly adhered between the score lines 1410 (i.e., between score A and score B). The tape sample 1405 may be firmly adhered to the sheet 1420 using a roller (e.g., as described in ASTM D3330) or using firm finger or thumb pressure such that an area of the tape 1405 between the score lines 1410 is firmly adhered. Once the area of tape 1405 is firmly adhered to the sheet 1420, an excess portion of the tape 1405 above the score line A is peeled back (i.e., away from the sheet 1420) and then looped around a handle attached to a weight receptacle 1425. The weight receptacle 1425, including attachment device, should be less than 60 g. The length of tape between point X and score line A should be sufficient to attach the tape to the receptacle below the lower edge of the sheet steel as shown in FIGS. 14A-B. The portion of the tape 1405 that is looped is then self-adhered as shown in FIG. 14B. The portion of tape 1405 above score line A is pulled back to just expose score line A. A weight of the receptacle 1425 and attachment device must be such that the tape 1405, when pulled back to score line A and attached to the attachment device, does not move below line A within a period of 30 seconds. Once the score line A is exposed and the tape 1405 is attached to the weight receptacle 1425, a timer may be initiated (e.g., via a digital stopwatch). Weights are added to the receptacle 1425 every 10 seconds starting when the elapsed time measured by the timer is 10 seconds. Weight should be added to the receptacle in the time 9.5 to 10.5 seconds every 10 second increment. The weight should be dropped into the weight receptacle 1425 from a height not greater than 6 inches (15 cm). The weights to be used in Method Z may all weigh between 4 and 5 g. Weights used for data collection during Method Z and reported herein weighed 4.6±0.2 g. Weights may include 5/16 in −18 steel nuts (or metric equivalents, such as 8 mm). A leading edge of a crease 1430 within the tape sample 1405, as shown in FIG. 14B, will gradually move to the lower score line B. No weight may be added after the lower score line B is exposed. The process of adding the weights and/or determining when the lower line is exposed may be automated by any appropriate means. The receptacle 1425 with weights and all attached tape 1405 may be removed from the sheet 1420 and weighed. Prior to weighing, a length of tape 1405 between the score line A and the lower edge of the sheet 1420 is cut off. The total weight of a remaining length of the tape 1405, accumulated weights, attachment device, and receptacle 1425 is recorded using a digital scale capable of weighing a minimum of 5 kg and accurate to the nearest gram. In various implementations, weighing devices of greater accuracy may be used. The sample tape 1405 may be tested two widths, 3 widths, or 4 widths. All widths may be measured in or converted to inches. For each width of the tape 1405, Method Z may be repeated 3 or 4 times. Data collected during repeat implementations of Method Z may be regressed using a cubic equation, W=Ax³+Bx²+Cx, where x is the width of the tape 1405 measured in inches and W is the recorded weight is grams. Accordingly, the value of this equation when x=1.0 is the reported value. If the tape is 1 inch wide, then only that width need be tested, and no regression is necessary; however, data regression may be preferred. When cutting samples of tape 1405 to narrower widths, care must be taken to ensure the PSA surface to be tested does not contact any surface prior to adhering to the test surface (e.g., the sheet 1420). When testing double sided tapes, all release papers are removed from the section of tape 1405 in the 1 inch test area.
The results of tape adhesion measured using Method Z are presented in Table 3 below. These data from Table 3 are shown graphically with the regressed fitted lines in FIG. 15 . An average of repeated measurements is shown in FIG. 15 for clarity. In FIG. 15 , the steeper the slope of the represented data, the stronger the adhesion of the tape 1405 to the steel sheet 1420. FIG. 15 also shows experimental data fit using regression to obtain values (W) at x=1.0.

TABLE 3

Tape adhesion strength as measured by Method Z.

Regression Results

Tape	A	B	C	Value (W) at x = 1.0 (g)

MT1	29.08	−182.58	488.18	335
MT2	16.59	−94.07	628.54	551
MT3	151.03	−622.89	1868.85	1397
MT4	15.03	−136.32	748.85	628
MT5	31.76	−185.00	459.98	307
DST1	174.20	−593.98	1394.40	975
DST2	0.00	−658.67	2384.67	1726
DST3	23.59	−189.77	619.68	454
DST4a	−2.01	−6.17	68.64	60
DST4b	71.96	−311.43	834.47	595

The results found using Method Z may be correlated with the results found for test tapes that were also tested using ASTM D3330 (MT1, MT2, MT3). The relationship between the results of Method Z and those from ASTM D3330 may be quantified by the following equation: y=1.52E-05x²+0.041x (R 2=0.999), where y is the ASTM predicted value and x is the measured value (W) from Method Z. The predicted ASTM D3330-Method Z data are shown in Table 4 below and will be referenced when describing PSA strength.

TABLE 4

Tapes and their respective measured and predicted forces.

		ASTM D3330 - Method	ASTM D3330
	Method	A measured	predicted
Tape test	Z (g)	Force (oz-force/in)	Force (oz-force/in)

MT1	335	17	15
MT2	551	26	27
MT3	1397	87	87
MT4	628	—	32
MT5	307	—	14
DST1	975	—	54
DST2	1726	—	116
DST3	454	—	22
DST4a	60	—	3
DST4b	595	—	30

To provide examples of the utility of the inventive adhesive assembly in practice, multiple adhesive devices were prepared and then used to adhere common consumer goods packaging containers to a surface. Four different procedures were used to fabricate different adhesive devices for testing the different embodiments.
In a first procedure, Procedure 1, exposed PSA layers are selected as needed. All tapes used in this Procedure 1 were 47 mm wide. In a first operation of Procedure 1, a length (e.g., 30 cm) of a selected single sided tape (SST) was cut and laid on a working surface with the PSA side down, while the PSA was protected by release liner (i.e., release paper) removed from a DST1 of similar length. If available, previously unused release paper may be used in to cover the PSA. In a second operation of Procedure 1, a length of double-sided tape (DST) tape, with release liner still in place (except for DST2 which was protected by a polymeric film), was adhered to the face stock of the SST and then standardized by rolling the still in place release liner with firm hand pressure. In a third operation of Procedure 1, exposed release liner was then removed, and a second length (similar to the length of the DST) of a second SST adhered to the now exposed release liner side of the DST tape, face stock down, exposing the PSA. In a fourth operation of Procedure 1, the exposed PSA side of the SST was then protected by the release liner removed in the third operation. In a fifth operation of Procedure 1, lengths of the structure formed by the SST and the DST are then cut as required and applied to a desired surface. In a sixth operation of Procedure 1, double-sided tape thus made was used in experiments outlined below, which demonstrate the utility of the adhesive assembly in various implementations.
In a second procedure, Procedure 2, an adhesive structure or assembly may be formed using single-sided tape and double-sided tape. All tapes used in Procedure 2 had a width of 47 mm. In a first operation of Procedure 2, a length (e.g., 30 cm) of a DST was laid down on a working surface with release liner in place (i.e., covering an adhesive surface of the DST) and facing the surface and maintained in place using MT2 at each end. In a second operation of Procedure 2, a similar length of SST was adhered to the exposed PSA of the DST tape with the face stock down, exposing the PSA. In a third operation of Procedure 2, the exposed PSA side of the SST was protected by a length of release liner removed from a sacrificed length of DST1. In a fourth operation of Procedure 2, lengths of this structure (formed by the SST and DST1) were cut as required and applied to a desired surface. In a fifth operation of Procedure 2, double-sided tape was used in experiments to demonstrate the utility of the adhesive assembly described above in various embodiments.
In a third procedure, Procedure 3, an adhesive structure or assembly may be formed to include a foam core. As illustrated in FIG. 16 , such a configuration allows for the adhesive assembly to be used with a concave adherend substrate surface. The flexible foamed polyethylene used in Procedure 3 had a density of about 0.066 g/cc. DST1 and MT3 had a width of 47 mm. MT3 is a multi-layer coated fabric construction face stock which may be used as a duct tape and is shown in FIG. 16 . In a first operation of Procedure 3, a length (about 30 cm) of DST1 was laid down on work surface with release liner still in place facing the work surface. In a second operation of Procedure 3, approximately 30 cm of 3 mm thick extruded foamed polyethylene sheet was cut to a width of 47 mm and was adhered to exposed PSA of DST1 (30×3×4.7 cm). In a third operation of Procedure 3, approximately 30 cm of DST1 was attached to the foam layer with the release layer exposed. In a fourth operation of Procedure 3, the release liner layer was removed and approximately 30 cm of MT3 adhered to DST1 with the PSA of MT2 exposed. In a fifth operation of Procedure 3, the release liner was removed from DST1 and was placed on the exposed PSA of MT3. In a sixth operation of Procedure 3, a sample of the 11-layer structure (including 5 layers of PSA) was cut in the form of a disc of diameter 47 mm. The disc was used to demonstrate how the adhesive assembly may be used and applied when the surface of the container to be attached to a work surface is concave.
In a fourth procedure, Procedure 4, an adhesive structure or assembly was tested using components with differing initial widths. In a first operation of Procedure 4, a suitable length of SST (MT2) was laid down on work surface, PSA side down, protected by release liner removed from DST1, the adhesive tape being discarded. Each end of the tape was held in place with some MT2. In a second operation of Procedure 4, a similar length of DST (DST2: 25 mm wide) was adhered to the face stock of the MT2 tape, with the protective layer exposed. In a third operation of Procedure 4, excess material was trimmed off leaving a 25 mm wide multilayer structure. In a fourth operation of Procedure 4, lengths of this structure were cut as required and applied to the desired surface
In a fifth procedure, Procedure 5, an adhesive structure or assembly including two double-sided tapes was tested, where one of the double-sided tapes was a micro-suction tape. In a first operation of Procedure 5, a suitable length of DST (DST4) was laid down on work surface, DST4b (acrylic) side down, protected by release paper provide with the tape. In a second operation of Procedure 5 the protective film on the upper DST4a (micro-suction) surface was removed. In a third operation of Procedure 5, double-sided tape (DST1) was adhered to the exposed DST4a surface with the release paper exposed. In a fourth operation of Procedure 5, when the release paper of DST1 was removed, single-sided tape (MT3) was adhered to the exposed DST1 surface with the PSA surface of MT3 exposed. In a fifth operation of Procedure 5, the exposed PSA surface was protected with the release paper and was removed from the DST1 tape. In a sixth operation of Procedure 5, excess DST1 and MT3 was trimmed to the width of DST4 (34 mm).
Experimental equipment preparation. To simulate the working conditions associated with each of the aforementioned embodiments of the adhesive assembly, it was necessary to physically attach an example of a typical surface to a scale pan apparatus that is used to measure the force needed to remove a unit of good housed in the container. This experimental setup is shown in FIG. 18 . The example used was a piece of melamine coated (19 mm) particleboard 1804 that was cut to 300×94 mm. This type of melamine coated particle board 1804 is typically used as shelving and in furniture manufacture. The board 1804 was then adhered to a scale pan 1802 using 5 cm of a double-sided adhesive 1803, which was prepared as per Procedure 2. DST1 and MT2 were utilized. The DST1 side was adhered to the melamine 1804 and the MT2 side adhered to the scale pan 1802. The 300 mm melamine coated particle board 1804 was centered on the scale pan 1802 such that a long edge of the board 1804 was parallel to the control and display panel of a scale 1801. The scale 1801 was fixed to the work surface using two “C” clamps to prevent it from moving during experiments. An exposed (i.e., experimental) side of the melamine board 1804 was cleaned with a 90% isopropanol wetted absorbent paper, wiped dry with dry absorbent paper, and allowed to sit overnight at about 66° F. (19° C.). It was not treated through the rest of the experiments apart from brushing off any particulates that were apparent.
Experiment Set 1. Demonstrating the utility of the adhesive assemblies. In these experiments, various rectangular containers of commercially available consumer articles were used. The containers were all made from polymer coated paperboard. Items packaged in these containers were intended to be dispensed from the containers singly. The items used in these experiments were of varying types and sizes and included storage bags, trash bags, and paper tissues. These items are examples demonstrating the utility of adhesive assemblies disclosed herein; however, use of these items in the described experiments do not limit the scope of this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 18 , the various containers 1806 were attached to the melamine surface 1804 using a double-sided adhesive 1805, which was made according to Procedure 2 using DST1 and MT2. The DST1 layer contacted the container substrate surface and the MT2 layer contacted the melamine surface. As DST1 had a PSA strength of 54 force-oz/in and MT2 had a PSA strength of 27 force-oz/in, the experiment illustrates an adhesive assembly where the PSA contacting the work surface is designed to be more easily removed from the work surface than the adhesive attached to the container, and thus the inventive device (e.g., adhesive assembly 400 and/or 500) is intended to be disposed of with the empty container. The tapes were cut as rectangles and adhered to the container 1806 centered in both length and width dimensions. In each experiment within this set, the container 1806 was provided with a removable opening by means of perforations in the paperboard. The container 1806 was centered relative to the scale pan 1802, with the long edge parallel to the long edge of the melamine coated particle board 1804. The opening was removed, and the box and contents weighed prior to attaching to the melamine surface (gross weight). The contents were then removed individually and the change in load recorded by slow motion camera (240 frames per second (FPS)). The camera used was that in an Apple XR iPhone. The scale 1801 was tared to zero before the first sample was removed and the force required to remove the sample measured as a negative load. When the negative load equaled or exceeded the weight of the container 1806 and remaining contents, it would follow that in normal use and in the absence of the adhesive assembly, the container 1806 would need to be restrained by some means—usually a person's second hand. After the experiment, the contents were weighed, and the average weight of a single item obtained.
The weight of the package with remaining contents was then calculated. Experiments in Set 1 were all performed at 66° F. (18.9° C.) and 16-20% relative humidity. The items were removed by hand in a manner consistent with normal domestic use. Error! Reference source not found.Time in milliseconds was calculated from frame number and a frame rate of 240 FPS. An example of the data collected in these experiments was taken from Set #1: Experiment #4, Item #4 and is presented in Table 5. The load changes were observed by analysis of the slow-motion video. Video of the experiments relating to load change was obtained, shot in slow motion. The camera was placed in a position to facilitate observation of the digital display on the scale. The video files were transferred from the camera (i.e., iPhone) to a computing device (i.e., Windows computer). To allow the files to be analyzed, each frame was converted to a jPEG file using PRISM Plus V6.16 software (NCH Software). A selection of these images was then viewed using ImageJ software version 1.52a (Wayne Rasband, National Institutes of Health, USA, public domain), which allowed the maximum load to be determined.

TABLE 5

Set#1:Experiment#4:Item#4

Frame number	Time (ms)	Scale Reading

967	0	0
975	33	0
999	133	−73
1057	375	−73
1087	500	−299
1102	563	−299
1117	625	−463
1132	688	−463
1147	750	−463
1162	813	−355
1187	917	−355
1199	967	−127
1203	983	−127
1222	1063	−127
1243	1150	−14
1252	1188	−14

The results of experiments in Set 1 are presented in Tables 6-9. The details of each experiment are located in the aforementioned tables.

TABLE 6

Adhesive device applied to packaging container of 1-gallon storage bags.

Set 1: Experiment 1	Paperboard container of 1-gallon double zipper storage bags (26.4 cm × 29.9 cm with
Inventive example 1	adjacent isosceles triangular openings of 23.1 cm × 3.75 cm on top and 23 cm × 4.37 cm
	on side (Essential EVERYDAY ®, distributed by Supervalu Inc, Eden Prairie, MN)

Description of Container

	Contents	Depth	Length	Height

19 1 gal storage bags	6.25 cm	29.1	cm	6.56 cm
Tape dimensions	4.69 cm	25	cm	Gross weight = 192 g

Results

		Weight of package			Invention required
Bag	Bags	and contents (W):	Load (L)	W-L	to prevent container
removed	remaining	grams	grams	grams	from moving?

0	19	192
1	18	192	164	28	N
2	17	183	55	128	N
3	16	175	89	86	N
4	15	166	103	63	N
5	14	158	109	49	N
6	13	149	112	37	N
7	12	141	110	31	N
8	11	132	131	1	N
9	10	124	125	−1	Y
10	9	115	158	−43	Y
11	8	107	201	−94	Y
12	7	98	130	−32	Y
13	6	90	130	−40	Y
14	5	81	135	−54	Y
15	4	73	121	−48	Y
16	3	64	114	−50	Y
17	2	56	107	−51	Y
18	1	47	82	−35	Y
19	0	39	39	0	Y
Empty		30

TABLE 7

Adhesive device applied to packaging container of 1-gallon storage bags.

Set 1: Experiment 2	Paperboard container of 1-gallon Seal Top Storage Bags (26.41 cm × 26.88 cm) with
Inventive example 2	opening of 23.12 cm × 7.5 cm on 10 cm × 28.13 cm side (Ziploc, distributed by S. C.
	Johnson & Son, Inc, Racine, WI)

Description of Container

	Contents	Depth	Length	Height

38 1 gal storage bags	10	cm	28.13 cm	7.5 cm
Tape dimensions	4.69	cm	26.56 cm	Gross Weight = 406 g

Results

		Weight of package			Invention required
Bag	Bags	and contents (W):	Load (L)	W-L	to prevent container
removed	remaining	grams	grams	grams	from moving?

0	38	406	N/A	N/A	N/A
1	37	406	936	−530	Yes
2	36	397	323	74	No
3	35	387	400	−13	Yes
4	34	378	463	−85	Yes
5	33	368	348	20	No
6	32	359	376	−17	Yes
7	31	349	242	107	No
8	30	340	214	126	No
9	29	331	340	−9	Yes
10	28	321	258	63	No
11	27	312	205	107	No
12	26	302	301	1	No
13	25	293	320	−27	Yes
14	24	284	189	95	No
15	23	274	92	182	No
16	22	265	86	179	No
17	21	255	0	255	No
18	20	246	52	194	No
19	19	236	20	216	No
20	16	227	136	91	No
23	15	218	20	198	No
24	14	189	46	143	No
25	13	180	44	136	No
26	12	170	55	115	No
27	11	161	52	109	No
28	10	152	51	101	No
29	9	142	105	37	No
30	8	133	54	79	No
31	7	123	53	70	No
32	6	114	51	63	No
33	5	105	43	62	No
34	4	95	50	45	No
35	3	86	41	45	No
36	2	76	47	29	No
37	1	67	46	21	No
38	0	57	26	31	No
Empty		48

TABLE 8

Adhesive device applied to packaging container of 49.2 L garbage bags.

Set 1: Experiment 3	Paperboard container of 49.2 L Glad ® Tall Kitchen DrawString Bags with ForceFlex ®
Inventive example 3	(59.38 cm × 63.44 cm × 0.018 mm) with six-sided opening (C₂symmetry) of 14.7 cm ×
	4.7 cm × 8.1 cm × 3.1 cm × 10.6 cm on 10.6 cm × 20.9 cm side (Distributed by The Glad
	products Company, Oakland, CA)

Description of Container

	Contents		Depth	Length	Height

40 drawstring bags	10.6	cm	20.9	cm	10.6 cm
Tape dimensions	4.7	cm	20	cm	Gross Weight = 762 g

Results

		Weight of package			Invention required
Bag	Bags remaining	and contents (W):	Load (L)	W-L	to prevent container
removed	before removing item	grams	grams	grams	from moving?

0	40	762	N/A	N/A	N/A
1	40	762	432	330	No
5	36	692.4	398	294	No
10	31	605.4	332	273	No
15	26	518.4	315	203	No
20	21	431.4	324	107	No
25	16	344.4	398	−54	Yes
30	11	257.4	312	−55	Yes
33	8	205.2	252	−47	Yes
36	5	153	184	−31	Yes
39	2	100.8	168	−67	Yes
40	1	83.4	20	63	No
Empty	0	66

TABLE 9

Results from Adhesive device applied to packaging container of 1 quart storage bags.

Set 1: Experiment 4	Paperboard container of 1-quart Seal Top Freezer Bags (17.5 cm × 18.6 cm) with
Inventive example 4	opening of 13.8 cm × 4.4 cm on 7.5 cm × 19.2 cm side (Ziploc, distributed by S. C.
	Johnson & Son, Inc, Racine, WI)

Description of Container

Contents	Depth	Length	Height

19 1 quart freezer bags	7.5 cm	19.2 cm	6.9 cm
Tape dimensions	4.7 cm	17.5 cm	Gross Weight = 148 g

Results

		Weight of package			Invention required
Bag	Bags	and contents (W):	Load (L)	W-L	to prevent container
removed	remaining	grams	grams	grams	from moving?

0	19	148	N/A	N/A
1	19	148	146	2	No
2	18	142	224	−82	Yes
3	17	135	179	−44	Yes
4	16	129	170	−41	Yes
5	15	122	129	−7	Yes
6	14	116	92	24	No
7	13	109	111	−2	Yes
8	12	103	74	29	No
9	11	97	68	29	No
10	10	90	58	32	No
11	9	84	78	6	No
12	8	77	44	33	No
13	7	71	55	16	No
14	6	64	64	0	No
15	5	58	54	4	No
16	4	51	55	−4	Yes
17	3	45	46	−1	Yes
18	2	39	47	−8	Yes
19	1	32	49	−17	Yes
Empty	0	26

Set 2. Comparative experiments. In these experiments, a container was placed on the surface with no adhesive assembly between the container and the surface. The contents of the container were then removed manually as would be normal in daily use. The ability of the container to remain in place while to item was being dispensed without any restraint was observed and recorded. Set 2. Experiment 1. A container and contents similar to that used in Set 1, Experiment 4 was used. All bags when removed caused the container to lift off the surface, thus demonstrating the utility of the instant invention. Set 2. Experiment 2. A container and contents similar to that used in Set 1, Experiment 3 was used. All bags when removed caused the container to lift off the surface, thus demonstrating the utility of the instant invention.
Set 3: Experiments related to area of the adhesive assembly to be used and the type of PSA to be used on various surfaces. In these experiments, a double-sided tape was prepared as per Procedure 2. The experiments were designed to test an adhesive assembly on various typical domestic surfaces such as bare sanded wood, wood finished with wipe on polyurethane dispersed in oil, brushed on polyurethane dispersed in water and water based latex paint. The surfaces were prepared according to a Procedure 6. In a first operation of Procedure 6, four pieces of ½ inch (13 mm) 5-layer birch veneered plywood were cut measuring 7 inches×1.5 inches (17.5 cm×3.75 cm). The surface to be tested was sanded with Norton P120 grit sandpaper. After removing dust by vacuum cleaner (brush), the surface was wiped with a tack-cloth. The samples were further treated. Sample 51 was used without further treatment. Sample S2 received two coats of MINWAX® Clear Satin oil-based wipe on polyurethane (MINWAX Corp., Upper Saddle River NJ), which were applied with paper toweling. The surface of Sample S2 was then finished by rubbing with #000 steel wool. Sample S3 received two coats of Varathane® Ultimate Polyurethane Interior Crystal Clear Satin (Rust-Oleum Corp., Vernon IL), which were applied with a Purdy 1 inch XL-Dale brush. Sample S4 received two coats of Benjamin Moore® Gloss Finish 100% acrylic Premium Exterior Latex paint; color code 795 (Benjamin Moore & Co., Monvale NJ), which were applied with a foam brush. For each of the samples S2, S3, and S4, the samples were dried in direct sunshine at about 60° F. (15.6° C.) for two hours prior to application of a 2n d coat. The samples were not sanded or otherwise treated between coats. The second coat was dried indoors overnight at 66° F. (18.9° C.) and 16% relative humidity.
In all experiments in Set 3, double-sided tape was prepared as per Procedure 1 with MT2 on both sides and used to adhere the plywood test specimen to the melamine board still adhered to the scale as per Set 1. The tape thus made was trimmed to match a width of the test surface samples (i.e., 51, S2, S3, S4). The plywood test specimen was mounted with the test surface (i.e., bare, painted, etc.) exposed. The tape was 17.5 cm long 3.8 cm wide and applied to completely cover the 17.5×3.8 cm unmodified wood surface. The plywood specimens were centered over the scale pan with the 17.5 cm side parallel to the 30 cm side of the melamine board. During these tests the plywood samples did not separate from the melamine board. The various test tapes (e.g., MT1, etc., as listed in Table 10-Table 17) were prepared on DST1 as per Procedure 2. The test tapes were then cut to the dimensions listed in Tables 10-Table 17 and adhered to the approximate center of the smooth side of 10 cm×8.1 cm×4.7 mm hardboard using the DST1 side of the test tape. The hardboard sample was then adhered to the test plywood surface using the exposed PSA of the single sided tape used in the construction. Once mounted, the hardboard was removed from the plywood test sample by pulling vertically by hand while the change in load was recorded by a slow-motion camera. The load changes were determined by analysis of the slow-motion video. The results are listed in Tables 10-17.
After combining the test results for each of MT1 and MT2, a minimum strength of PSA required to resist removal of a container from a typical surface (adherend) can be estimated. The estimate can be carried out using the following equation: Strength=F/(M*A), where Strength is a value quantified in oz—force/inch and determined by ASTM test D3330-Method A on stainless steel or calculated from Method Z as described herein. F is force (grams) to remove an article from the container, A is the area of the adhesive device contacting the surface measured in sq mm (mm²) and M=0.57, the value of which is determinable from experimental results. Therefore, for example, if a minimum useful area to be used is 10×10 mm, and a maximum load resistance is 500 g, then the corresponding minimum PSA strength (5) required is 8.8 oz-force/in. Accordingly, a resistance caused by an item being removed from the container is dependent on how the items are packed, construction of the items, and construction and dimensions of the container. Thus, implementing an adhesive assembly to multiple containers holding similarly packed articles may include determining an average maximum resistance by testing several packed containers prior to selecting an appropriate pressure sensitive adhesive (i.e., within the adhesive assembly). This may be carried out, for example, on a production line. If the adhesives contacting the adherend and the container are dissimilar, the adhesive with the lower S value is in contact with the adherend, and in all cases, the value S is the minimum strength of adhesive used with the second adhesive being of equal or great adhesive strength. It should be noted that the ASTM test D3330-Method A is implemented such that the force, F, is assumed to be applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to a primary axis of the adhesive assembly (i.e., analogous to a pull force directly upward to extract one or more items from within the container). In other conditions, however, the force, F, may be applied at any angle and thus the adhesive force of the adhesive assembly (i.e., to the container) would include components in a direction normal to the surface of the container, in addition to shear frictional forces.

TABLE 10

Force to remove adhesive device from surface
at various areas of adhesive device.

Set 3. Experiment 1

Birch veneer plywood with MT1

Width (mm)	Length (mm)	Area (mm²)	Measured Load (g)

5	10	50	505
5	20	100	739
5	20	100	1416
5	30	150	1025
10	10	100	1344
10	30	300	2975

TABLE 11

Force to remove adhesive device from surface
at various areas of adhesive device.

Set 3. Experiment 2

Wipe-on Oil based Polyurethane with MT1

Width (mm)	length(mm)	Area (mm²)	Load (g)

5	10	50	978
5	17	85	1460
10	10	100	1281
10	20	200	2303
10	17	170	1834
15	15	225	1751
15	15	225	1615
5	47	235	1801

TABLE 12

Force to remove adhesive device from surface
at various areas of adhesive device.

Set 3. Experiment 3

Brushed on water-based Polyurethane with MT1

Width (mm)	length(mm)	Area (mm²)	Load (g)

5	5	25	311
5	10	50	753
5	18	90	1235
10	10	100	1418
10	15	150	1444
10	24	240	1947
15	18	270	1856
15	30	450	2900

TABLE 13

Force to remove adhesive device from surface
at various areas of adhesive device.

Set 3. Experiment 4

Brushed on water based acrylic paint with MT1

Width (mm)	length(mm)	Area (mm²)	Load (g)

5	5	25	288
5	10	50	722
5	15	75	878
10	10	100	888
5	19	95	1307
10	15	150	1407
10	24	240	1897
15	18	270	1623
15	48	720	2006

TABLE 14

Force to remove adhesive device from surface
at various areas of adhesive device.

Set 3. Experiment 5

Birch veneer plywood with MT2

Width (mm)	length(mm)	Area (mm²)	Load (g)

5	5	25	422
5	10	50	1184
5	15	75	1436
10	10	100	2074
10	15	150	2153
10	18	180	2297
10	20	200	2077

TABLE 15

Force to remove adhesive device from surface
at various areas of adhesive device.

Set 3. Experiment 6

Wipe-on Oil based Polyurethane with MT2

Width (mm)	length(mm)	Area (mm²)	Load (g)

5	5	25	758
5	10	50	1076
5	15	75	1347
10	10	100	2061
10	15	150	3138
10	14	140	3165
5	49	245	4000

TABLE 16

Force to remove adhesive device from surface
at various areas of adhesive device.

Set 3. Experiment 7

Brushed on water based Polyurethane with MT2

Width (mm)	length(mm)	Area (mm²)	Load (g)

5	5	25	356
5	10	50	1034
5	15	75	1210
5	49	245	1855
5	49	245	1920
10	10	100	2250
10	15	150	1907
10	20	200	2377
15	15	225	2099
15	34	510	2349

TABLE 17

Force to remove adhesive device from surface
at various areas of adhesive device.

Set 3. Experiment 8

Brushed on water acrylic paint with MT2

Width (mm)	length(mm)	Area (mm²)	Load (g)

5	5	25	583
5	10	50	1032
5	15	75	1148
10	10	100	1225
10	15	150	1398
10	24	240	1935
5	49	245	1998
15	49	735	2276
15	49	735	2317
15	49	735	2900

Experiment Set 4. Demonstrating utility of an adhesive assembly having a foam core construction. In this experiment, a cylindrical high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic container containing wet wipes was used. The container, as received, was configured to include a restriction under the flip top opening to cause resistance when removing a wipe such that it pulls away from the attached following wipe. This flip top opening arrangement alone makes it necessary, in the absence of an adhesive assembly, that the container be held in place while removing the wipe from the container. The base of the container contained a concave depression. This is shown schematically with approximate dimensions in Error! Reference source not found.. The disc of the structure made as described in Procedure 3 was disposed in a 2 3/32 inch wide (52.3 mm) depression, approximately centered with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical container. The disc thus applied had a thickness of 9/64 inch (3.5 mm) and thus protruded slightly below the bottom of the container by about 1/64 inch (0.4 mm). Thus, the experiment reflects configurations of the adhesive assembly (e.g., adhesive assembly 800, adhesive assembly 900) where the container to be adhered incorporated a hollow or non-flat surface to be adhered to the intended surface and the flexible foam conforms to the uneven surface and has sufficient compressibility to maintain a good and sufficient area of contact with both the container and the intended surface. The PSA in contact with the container is disposed such that the container and the PSA contacting the work surface are readily removable from the work surface without delaminating from the container. The container and contents were weighed prior to attaching to the melamine surface (gross weight) which was attached to the scale as described previously. The contents of the container were then removed individually and a resulting change in load was recorded by slow motion camera (240 FPS). The scale was tared to zero before the first sample was removed and the force required to remove the sample measured as a negative load. The scale was not tared to zero thereafter and thus the scale reading after a wipe was removed showed the accumulated loss of weight of the container and contents. When a sample was removed, the scale showed increasingly negative readings and, thus, the force required to remove the wipe was equal to the difference in the reading before the removal and the maximum reduction in weight as recorded by the slow-motion camera. When an absolute value of the negative load equaled or exceeded the weight of the container and remaining contents, it would follow that in normal use, and in the absence of an adhesive assembly, the container would need a to be restrained by some means—such as by a person's second hand. The results are presented in Table 18. After the experiment, the adhesive assembly was removed from the container, which was weighed, and a difference in weight between the full container and the empty container allowed the weight of each wipe to be calculated.

TABLE 18

Results from Adhesive device comprising foam core applied to cylindrical container.

Set 4: Experiment 1	Cylindrical HDPE container of wet “wall cleaning wipes” (ZEP ®,
Inventive example 5	distributed by Zep, Inc, Emerson, GA) with restricted opening to cause
	the linked wipes to separate

Description of Container

Contents	Width	Height

35 wet wipes	8.3 cm	20.9 cm

Foam core device dimensions	Diameter: 4.7 cm, 3.5 mm thick	Gross Weight = 233 g

Results

	Bags remaining	Weight of package and			Invention required
Bag	before removing	contents before removing	Load (L)	W-L	to prevent container
removed	item	wipe (W): grams	grams	grams	from moving?

0	35	233	N/A	N/A
1	35	233	443	−210	Yes
2	34	228	647	−419	Yes
3	33	223	1759	−1536	Yes
4	32	218	556	−338	Yes
5	31	213	600	−387	Yes
6	30	208	877	−669	Yes
7	29	203	702	−499	Yes
8	28	198	702	−504	Yes
9	27	193	830	−637	Yes
0	26	189	830	−641	Yes
11	25	184	191	−7	Yes
12	24	179	424	−245	Yes
13	23	174	410	−236	Yes
14	22	169	372	−203	Yes
15	21	164	372	−208	Yes
16	20	159	372	−213	Yes
17	19	154	55	99	Yes
18	18	149	235	−86	Yes
19	17	144	225	−81	Yes
20	16	139	225	−86	Yes
21	15	134	41	93	No
22	14	129	181	−52	Yes
23	13	124	30	94	No
24	12	119	67	52	No
25	11	114	192	−78	Yes
26	10	109	182	−73	Yes
27	9	104	73	31	No
28	8	100	39	61	No
29	7	95	108	−13	Yes
30	6	90	107	−17	Yes
31	5	85	109	−24	Yes
32	4	80	351	−271	Yes
33	3	75	38	37	No
34	2	70	164	−94	Yes
35	1	65	47	18	No
Empty	0	60

Experiment Set 5. Inventive examples demonstrating the utility of the invention using different geometries of inventive adhesive devices and various adhesive combinations. Examples described and tested in experiment Set 5 demonstrate that many geometries of adhesive assemblies may be used; however, the specific examples described herein are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The examples also demonstrate that there are many possible combinations of adhesives that may be used within an adhesive assembly and these examples are not limiting. The conditions of the experiments and the results are shown in Table 19-Table 25. The containers were adhered to the melamine surface as described in Set 1. In FIG. 19 , which shows an example graph of change in load versus number of items removed, diamond data points located above the square data points represent instances where adhesive assemblies would be necessary to prevent a container from moving when removing items within the container. In no case did the force required to remove an item cause the container to lift off the adherend, thereby demonstrating the utility of the adhesive assemblies.

TABLE 19

Results from adhesive device applied to packaging container
of 1 quart storage bags using two strips of adhesive device.

Set 5: Experiment 1	Paperboard container of 1-quart Seal Top Freezer Bags (17.5 cm × 18.6 cm) with
Inventive example 6	opening of 13.8 cm × 4.4 cm on 7.5 cm × 19.2 cm side (Ziploc, distributed by S. C.
	Johnson & Son, Inc, Racine, WI)

Description of Container

Contents	Depth	Length	Height

38 1 qt freezer bags	10 cm	19.4 cm	7.5 cm

	Tape structure and dimensions

	Structure: Made using procedure 2: DST = DST3; SST = MT5
	Geometry: 2 strips 6.3 mm × 17.5 cm placed 7.8 cm apart centered on container
	DST3 contacting container; MT5 contacting melamine surface

Results

	Bags remaining	Weight of package			Invention required
Bag	before removing	and contents (W):	Load (L)	W-L	to prevent container
removed	item	grams	grams	grams	from moving?

0	38	271	N/A	N/A	N/A
1	38	271	261	10	No
2	37	265	118	147	No
3	36	259	151	108	No
4	35	252	96	156	No
5	34	246	84	162	No
6	33	240	116	124	No
7	32	234	133	101	No
8	31	227	219	8	No
9	30	221	174	47	No
10	29	215	70	145	No
11	28	209	113	96	No
12	27	202	99	103	No
13	26	196	76	120	No
14	25	190	107	83	No
15	24	184	65	119	No
16	23	177	50	127	No
17	22	171	46	125	No
18	21	165	49	116	No
19	20	159	21	138	No
20	19	152	63	89	No
21	18	146	109	37	No
22	17	140	22	118	No
23	16	134	55	79	No
24	15	127	58	69	No
25	14	121	91	30	No
26	13	115	67	48	No
27	12	109	97	12	No
28	11	102	76	26	No
29	10	96	104	−8	Yes
30	9	90	94	−4	Yes
31	8	84	76	8	No
32	7	77	61	16	No
33	6	71	60	11	No
34	5	65	54	11	No
35	4	59	63	−5	Yes
36	3	52	70	−18	Yes
37	2	46	67	−21	Yes
38	1	40	51	−11	Yes
Empty	0	34

TABLE 20

Results from adhesive device applied to packaging container
of paper tissues using two squares of adhesive device.

Set 5: Experiment 2	Paperboard container of 2-ply paper tissues (20 cm × 20.6 cm) with oval
Inventive example 7	opening of 12.5 cm × 5 cm on 9.1 cm × 4.3 cm side (Floral Soft ™ -
	American Paper Converting, Woodland WI)

Description of Container

Contents	Depth	Length	Height	Gross weight

100 tissues	11.6 cm	22.7 cm	5 cm	159 g

Tape structure and dimensions

Structure: Made using procedure 2: DST = DST2; SST = MT4

Geometry: 2 pieces 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm centered on long axis of the base of the container adjacent to

the 11.6 cm edge

DST2 contacting container; MT4 contacting melamine surface

Results

		Weight of package			Invention required
tissue	tissue remaining	and contents (W):	Load (L)	W-L	to prevent container
removed	before item removed	grams	grams	grams	from moving?

0		159	N/A	N/A	N/A
1	100	159	98	61	No
10	90	148	45	103	No
21	79	134	76	58	No
30	70	123	56	67	No
40	60	111	72	39	No
50	50	99	34	65	No
60	0	86	39	47	No
70	30	73	53	20	No
80	20	61	67	−6	Yes
90	10	48	39	9	No
100	0	36	26	10	No

TABLE 21

Results from adhesive device applied to packaging container
of wet wipes using 2 strips of adhesive device.

Set 5: Experiment 3	Soft polymer film container of Huggies ™ (wet) wipes (19.5 cm × 16.8 cm) with
Inventive example 8	oval opening of 75 mm × 31 mm (Kimberly-Clark Corp. Neenah, WI)

Description of Container

Contents	Depth	Length	Height	Gross weight

56 wipes	~9.4 cm	~16.9 cm	5.6 cm	396 g

Tape structure and dimensions

Structure: Made using procedure 2: DST = DST3; SST = MT5

Format: 2 strips 11.3 cm × 19 mm placed 6.3 mm from the 16.9 cm edge with equal distance to each short edge.

DST3 contacting container; MT5 contacting the melamine surface

Results

		Weight of package			Invention required
wipe	wipe remaining	and contents (W):	Load (L)	W-L	to prevent container
removed	before item removed	grams	grams	Grams	from moving?

0	56	395	N/A	N/A	N/A
1	56	395	117	278	No
5	55	370	90	280	No
10	51	339	78	261	No
15	46	308	71	237	No
20	41	276	57	219	No
25	36	244	40	204	No
30	31	213	36	177	No
35	26	179	44	135	No
40	21	145	50	95	No
45	16	111	48	63	No
46	11	104	35	69	No
47	10	97	48	49	No
48	9	89	72	17	No
49	8	82	14	68	No
50	7	74	35	39	No
51	6	66	47	19	No
52	5	59	43	16	No
53	4	51	51	0	Yes
54	3	44	47	−3	Yes
55	2	35	61	−26	Yes
56	1	27	13	14	No
Empty	0	18

TABLE 22

Results from adhesive device applied to packaging container
of storage bags using 2 triangles of adhesive device.

Set 5: Experiment 4	Paperboard container of 25* 1-quart Great Value ™ “Double Zipper” storage
Inventive example 9	bags (17.5 cm × 19.4 cm) with opening of 2x triangular 14.4 cm × 3.4 cm cut
	out on adjacent top and side (Distributed by Walmart Inc., Bentonville AR)

Description of Container

Contents
(* only 24 present)	Depth	Length	Height	Gross weight

24 bags	5.9 cm	19.7 cm	5.3 cm	133 g

Tape structure and dimensions

Structure: Made using procedure 2: DST = DST2; SST = MT2

Format: 2 isosceles triangles (2.8 cm × 2.8 cm × 2.5 cm) placed on 19.7 cm × 5.9 cm base at each short

edge, the 2.5 cm side located at edge of container, centered with respect to the long axis.

DST2 contacting container; MT2 contacting the melamine surface

Results

		Weight of package			Invention required
Bag	Bags remaining	and contents (W):	Load (L)	W-L	to prevent container
removed	before item removed	grams	grams	grams	from moving?

0	24	133	N/A	N/A	N/A
1	24	133	619	−486	Yes
2	23	128	698	−570	Yes
3	22	124	617	−493	Yes
4	21	119	415	−296	Yes
5	20	114	339	−225	Yes
6	19	110	263	−153	Yes
7	18	105	174	−69	Yes
8	17	100	118	−18	Yes
9	16	96	254	−158	Yes
10	15	91	251	−160	Yes
11	14	86	233	−147	Yes
12	13	82	195	−113	Yes
13	12	77	110	−33	Yes
14	11	72	67	5	No
15	10	68	89	−21	Yes
16	9	63	140	−77	Yes
17	8	58	87	−29	Yes
18	7	54	99	−45	Yes
19	6	49	72	−23	Yes
20	5	44	65	−21	Yes
21	4	40	64	−24	Yes
22	3	35	41	−6	Yes
23	2	30	39	−9	Yes
24	1	26	71	−45	Yes
Empty	0	21

TABLE 23

Results from adhesive device applied to packaging container
of trash bags using rectangle of adhesive device.

Set 5: Experiment 5	Glad ™ 13-gal Drawstring Trash Bags (59.4 cm × 63.4 cm × 0.018 mm) Opening:
Inventive example 10	Polygon with C2v symmetry (15.9 cm, 3.8 cm, 9.4 cm, 3.4 cm, 9.4 cm, 3.8 cm) (The
	Glad Products Company, Oakland CA)

Description of Container

Contents	Depth	Length	Height	Gross weight

45 bags	11.3 cm	20.6 cm	11.3 cm	838 g

Tape Structure and Dimensions

Structure: Made using procedure 1: DST = DST1; SST = MT5 on both sides

Format: 1 piece 18.8 cm × 4.7 cm centered on base of container MT5 contacting container;

MT5 contacting the melamine surface

Results

		Weight of package			Invention required
Bag	Bags remaining	and contents (W):	Load (L)	W-L	to prevent container
removed	before item removed	grams	grams	grams	from moving?

0	45	838	N/A	N/A	N/A
1	45	838	466	372	No
2	44	821	292	529	No
3	43	804	571	233	No
4	42	787	576	211	No
5	41	770	499	271	No
6	40	753	539	214	No
7	39	736	587	149	No
8	38	719	494	225	No
9	37	702	483	219	No
10	36	685	520	165	No
11	35	668	496	172	No
12	34	651	513	138	No
13	33	634	434	200	No
14	32	617	438	179	No
15	31	600	421	179	No
16	30	583	419	164	No
17	29	566	491	75	No
18	28	549	389	160	No
19	27	532	416	116	No
20	26	515	370	145	No
21	25	498	343	155	No
22	24	481	318	163	No
23	23	464	320	144	No
24	22	447	304	143	No
25	21	430	342	88	No
26	20	413	347	66	No
27	19	396	206	190	No
28	18	379	282	97	No
29	17	362	275	87	No
30	16	345	259	86	No
31	15	328	255	73	No
32	14	311	167	144	No
33	13	294	243	51	No
34	12	277	237	40	No
35	11	260	237	23	No
36	10	243	143	100	No
37	9	226	267	−41	Yes
38	8	209	152	57	No
39	7	192	251	−59	Yes
40	6	175	319	−144	Yes
41	5	158	216	−58	Yes
42	4	141	376	−235	Yes
43	3	124	312	−188	Yes
44	2	107	327	−220	Yes
45	1	90	70	20	No
Empty	0	73

TABLE 24

Results from Adhesive device applied to packaging container of storage bags using two rectangles.

Set 5: Experiment 6	Paperboard container of 1-quart Seal Top Storage Bags (17.5 cm × 18.6 cm) with
Inventive example 11	opening of 14.1 cm × 4.2 cm on 6.9 cm × 19.4 cm side (Ziploc, distributed by S. C.
	Johnson & Son, Inc, Racine, WI)

Description of Container

Contents	Depth	Length	Height	Gross weight

24 Bags	6.9 cm	19.4 cm	7.5 cm	149 g

Tape Structure and Dimensions

Structure: DST4 with micro-suction side (DST4a) facing the melamine adherend and acrylic PSA side (DST4b)

facing the paperboard container

Format: Two pieces DST4 (3.4 cm × 2.5 cm) located at each end of long (19.4 cm) axis centered on that axis

Results

		Weight of package	Maximum change in		Invention required
Bag	Bags remaining	and contents (W):	Load on removing	W-L	to prevent container
removed	before item removed	grams	item (L): grams	grams	from moving?

0	24	149
1	23	149	222	−73	Yes
2	22	144	216	−72	Yes
3	21	139	214	−75	Yes
4	20	134	242	−109	Yes
5	19	128	176	−48	Yes
6	18	123	179	−56	Yes
7	17	118	224	−106	Yes
8	16	113	60	53	No
9	15	108	86	22	No
10	14	103	149	−47	Yes
11	13	97	130	−33	Yes
12	12	92	111	−19	Yes
13	11	87	117	−30	Yes
14	10	82	134	−52	Yes
15	9	77	121	−44	Yes
16	8	72	99	−28	Yes
17	7	66	40	26	No
18	6	61	110	−49	Yes
19	5	56	27	29	No
20	4	51	37	14	No
21	3	46	19	27	No
22	2	41	40	1	No
23	1	35	34	1	No
24	0	30	0	30	No
Empty		25

TABLE 25

Results from Adhesive device applied to packaging container
of storage bags using two square pieces of adhesive device.

Set 5: Experiment 7	Paperboard container of 1-quart Seal Top Storage Bags (17.5 cm × 18.6 cm) with
Inventive example 12	opening of 14.1 cm × 4.2 cm on 6.9 cm × 19.4 cm side (Ziploc, distributed by S. C.
	Johnson & Son, Inc, Racine, WI)

Description of Container

Contents	Depth	Length	Height	Gross weight

24 Bags	6.9 cm	19.4 cm	7.5 cm	149 g

Tape Structure and Dimensions

Structure: Made using procedure 5 with acrylic PSA (DST4b) facing melamine adherend and the MT3 PSA surface

facing the paperboard container

Format: Two pieces (2.5 cm × 2.5 cm) located at each end of long (19.4 cm) axis centered on that axis

Results

Experiment Set 6. Experiments related to use of micro-suction adhesive devices on various surfaces. These experiments were conducted similarly to those in Set 3 except that the micro-suction tape had the acrylic PSA side attached to the hardboard (smooth side) and the micro-suction side in contact with the test surface. The force to remove the hardboard from the test surface was measured as per Set 3. It was found that the adhesive strength of the micro-suction material was very dependent on the test surface. This is shown in FIG. 20 , which illustrates a comparison between the adhesive strength of two conventional PSA tapes on all test surfaces to the performance of DST4a on water-based polyurethane and oil-based polyurethane surfaces. It was found during experimental set 6 that no measurable adhesion of DST4a occurred when in contact with the sanded but otherwise unfinished birch surface. When tested on the plain steel surface (“Method A”), DST4a gave an ASTM D3330 predicted value of 3 force-oz/in which would imply a very low adhesion on the various test surfaces. This was not the case, as FIG. 20 shows. Thus, although micro-suction devices may be implemented with the disclosed adhesive assemblies, their successful use may be surface dependent. Also, Method Z may not be best suited for testing the adhesion of micro-suction adhesive devices.
Making and Using Adhesive Assemblies. The adhesive assemblies disclosed herein may be adhered to a container on a first face by means of any suitable adhesive such as a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), spray adhesive, hot melt adhesive, or other suitable adhesives as known in the art. The PSA may be a permanent PSA. The second face of the device has an adhesive layer designed to adhere to a substrate surface (adherend) selected by the consumer.
The adhesive assemblies disclosed herein may be used by removing a release liner from a container, followed by placing the container with the exposed adhesive onto the desired surface. The container will therefore be prevented from movement during use.
In any of the preceding embodiments, one or more adhesive assemblies (e.g., adhesive assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, etc.) may be provided as part of an adhesive system 2100, as shown in FIG. 21 . The adhesive system 2100 may include at least two adhesive portions: a first adhesive portion 2110 and a second adhesive portion 2115. In various embodiments, the first and second adhesive portions 2110, 2115 may be arranged concentrically such that the first adhesive portion 2110 surrounds (or substantially surrounds) the second adhesive portion 2115, or vice versa. In various embodiments, the first and second adhesive portions 2110, 2115 may each include one or more adhesives (e.g., PSA), where an adhesive of the first adhesive portion 2110 has a greater or lesser adhesive strength as compared to an adhesive of the second adhesive portion 2115. In some embodiments, the first adhesive portion 2110 may be covered by a first protective layer (e.g., release paper) and the second adhesive portion 2115 may be covered by a second protective layer (e.g., release paper) such that a user of the adhesive system 2100 may selectively determine to adhere one or both of the first and second adhesive portions 2110, 2115 to a container substrate 2105. Although FIG. 21 shows two adhesive portions, various embodiments of the adhesive system 2100 may include any number (e.g., 3, 4, 6, 12, etc.) of adhesive portions.
As utilized herein with respect to numerical ranges, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms generally mean+/−10% of the disclosed values, unless specified otherwise. As utilized herein with respect to structural features (e.g., to describe shape, size, orientation, direction, relative position, etc.), the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are meant to cover minor variations in structure that may result from, for example, the manufacturing or assembly process and are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term “illustrative” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above.
It is important to note that any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.
All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.
Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. An adhesive assembly configured for application on a substrate, the adhesive assembly comprising:

a first outermost component;

a second outermost component releaseably coupled to the first outermost component;

a carrier layer coupled to the second outermost component;

a fourth layer coupled to the carrier layer; and

a fifth layer releasably coupled to the fourth layer;

wherein at least one of the second outermost component, the carrier layer, or the fourth layer comprises at least one adhesive; and

wherein the second outermost component is structured to adhere to the substrate when the first outermost component is removed from the second outermost component.

19. The adhesive assembly of claim 18, wherein the first outermost component and the fifth layer comprise a release liner.

20. The adhesive assembly of claim 19, wherein the release liner comprises silicone-coated substrate.

21. The adhesive assembly of claim 18, wherein the carrier layer is structured as a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate being selected from the list consisting of: paper, plastic film, foam, polyester film, cloth, and metal foil.

22. The adhesive assembly of claim 18, wherein the carrier layer comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the at least one adhesive comprises a first adhesive, and wherein each of the first side and the second side comprises the first adhesive disposed thereon.

23. The adhesive assembly of claim 18, wherein an area of the adhesive assembly is greater than or equal to 25 mm².

24. The adhesive assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one adhesive comprises a second adhesive, and wherein each of the second outermost component and the fourth layer comprises the second adhesive, the second adhesive being a pressure sensitive adhesive film; and

wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive film of the second outermost component has a lesser adhesion strength than the pressure sensitive adhesive film of the fourth layer.

25. The adhesive assembly of claim 24, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive film of the second outermost component has a glass transition temperature between −20° C. to −80° C.

26. The adhesive assembly of claim 24, wherein at least one of the pressure sensitive adhesive film of the second outermost component or the pressure sensitive adhesive film of the fourth layer comprises at least one of a rubber pressure sensitive adhesive, an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive, or a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive.

27. A method of making a consumer-goods packaging container having a releasable self-adhering adhesive, the method comprising:

providing the container having a portion configured for releasable adherence to a substrate;

determining a correlation between at least one self-adhering adhesive to a size of the portion, the at least one self-adhering adhesive comprising at least one of a rubber pressure sensitive adhesive, an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive, or a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive;

wherein determining the correlation comprises:

determining an area of the portion of the container to which the at least one self-adhering adhesive will be applied; and

determining an adhesive strength for the at least one self-adhering adhesive based on at least one of a dimension of the area, a characteristic of the consumer-goods, or a removal force, the removal force corresponding to a force needed to remove the substrate from the portion;

applying a first layer to the portion, the first layer being a layer of the at least one self-adhering adhesive having the determined adhesive strength; and

applying a release layer on the first layer.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein determining the adhesive strength comprises dividing the removal force by the product of the area and a known constant.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the known constant is 0.57.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein applying the first layer to the portion comprises spraying the at least one self-adhering adhesive onto the portion.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one self-adhering adhesive comprises a first component and a second component, the first component and the second component being separated by a carrier layer.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the carrier layer comprises at least one of paper, cardboard, foam, metal foil or fabric.

33. The method of claim 27, further comprising printing instructions for use on the release layer.

34. A container containing a plurality of individually dispensable consumer goods, the container comprising:

an adhesive assembly, the adhesive assembly being adhered to the container and configured to be adhered to at least one surface separate from the container;

wherein the adhesive assembly is structured to be inseparable from the at least one surface when at least one of the plurality of consumer goods is removed from the container;

wherein the adhesive assembly comprises:

at least one pressure sensitive adhesive, the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive structured to adhere the adhesive assembly to the at least one surface, wherein the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive comprising at least one of a rubber pressure sensitive adhesive, an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive, or a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive;

wherein at least one strength (S) of the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive is greater than or equal to a force (F) divided by a product of an area (A) and a numerical constant M;

wherein F corresponds to a maximum force required to remove the at least one of the plurality of consumer goods from the container, and A corresponds to an area of the adhesive device contacting the at least one surface; and

wherein:

the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive comprises a first adhesive and a second adhesive, the at least one strength comprises a first strength and a second strength, the first adhesive having the first strength and the second adhesive having a second strength;

the first adhesive is disposed between the adhesive assembly and the at least one surface;

the second adhesive is disposed between the adhesive assembly and the container; and

the first strength is less than the second strength.

35. The container of claim 35, wherein the at least one strength (S) is measured in units of oz-force/inch and determined by ASTM test D3330-Method A on stainless steel, wherein A is measured in units of mm², and wherein M is 0.57.

36. The container of claim 35, wherein the adhesive assembly comprises:

a laminar structure, the laminar comprising the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive, the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive being protected by at least one layer of release paper; and

a face stock structure comprising at least one layer of carrier material defining at least one face stock surface, wherein the at least one pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the at least one face stock surface.