WO2020141377A1

WO2020141377A1 - Electrostatic dry erase article

Info

Publication number: WO2020141377A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/060765
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erika M. SAFFER
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2018-12-31
Filing date: 2019-12-13
Publication date: 2020-07-09

Abstract

A superhydrophilic, electrostatically charged dry erase article.

Description

ELECTROSTATIC DRY ERASE ARTICLE

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrostatic, superhydrophilic dry erase articles.

Background

[0002] Whiteboards (also called dry erase boards) are typically a magnetic metal sheet coated with a glossy, white surface capable of being written on by dry erase markers and later completely erased.

Whiteboards are the modem version of the classroom blackboard. The advantages and benefits of using whiteboards are many. For example, whiteboards are simple to use and intuitive. They are reusable and are thus environmentally friendly. Because of their reusability and relatively long life, whiteboards are cost-effective and relatively inexpensive. Whiteboards are not messy and do not produce dust particles (unlike the chalk dust that chalkboard use produces). Whiteboards do not require an electrical outlet or battery life. Whiteboards can be fully erased quickly. More than one person can use a single whiteboard simultaneously. For at least some of these reasons, whiteboards are excellent for collaboration, teamwork, or spontaneous work. To that end, they are the perfect tool for things like interactive exercises, brainstorming sessions, and group discussions. According to David Miller et ak, white boards aid concentration, increase interaction and motivate teachers and pupils. "EXP Maths: Teacher Support Pack, Volume 7"; David Miller, Douglas Averis and Peter Sherran; 2004 (Pg 72).

Summary

[0003] The inventors of the present disclosure recognize that whiteboards provide tremendous value. They also recognized that teamwork and collaboration could be increased and/or enhanced with the development of more portable dry erase articles that could be easily carried with a user from place to place and/or that could be applied and removed from most surfaces. For example, people work in all different locations and, because they never know what collaboration tools will be present, they prefer to bring their own collaboration tools. Also, as shown above, people love using whiteboards.

[0004] However, existing whiteboards are typically mounted on walls or fitted into mobile easels, and these may, or may not, be present when people want to use them. Further, neither option is highly portable, making bringing these whiteboard tools with you challenging. One existing portable commercially available whiteboard product - a spiral bound notebook of eight whiteboard pages called Nuboard - is too small to permit true collaboration by multiple users. Another commercially available set of dry erase products, sold under the brand Wizard Wall™, are sheets and easel pads of dry erase material that are electrostatically charged and thus capable of being stuck to walls or other surfaces. More information on these products is available in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 8,449,303 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0140805. However, these materials are quite expensive (the easel pads are over $150), and their dry erase surfaces often cannot be cleanly erased after multiple uses and/or they require special writing utensils to use.

[0005] The inventors of the present disclosure sought to invent a new dry erase article or system that would address the disadvantages of the existing dry erase article offerings. The inventors of the present disclosure sought to create dry erase articles that allow users to create a collaboration or teamwork space anywhere, anytime (or at least most anywhere or most anytime).

[0006] The inventors of the present disclosure invented an electrostatic, superhydrophilic dry erase article. Some embodiments relate to a superhydrophilic, electrostatically charged dry erase article. Some embodiments relate to a dry erase article, comprising an electrostatically charged layer; and a

superhydrophilic dry erase layer adjacent to the electrostatically charged layer. Some embodiments further include at least one of (1) an adhesive and/or mechanical attachment mechanism holding the electrostatically charged layer adjacent to the superhydrophilic dry erase layer; and/or (2) a substrate layer between the electrostatically charged layer and the superhydrophilic dry erase layer. In some

embodiments, the superhydrophilic dry erase layer is coated onto at least a portion of the substrate layer. In some embodiments, the electrostatically charged layer and/or substrate layer includes at least one of polyester, vinyl, urethane, polypropylene, or polyethylene. In some embodiments, the dry erase article has a weight of less than 3 pounds (1.35 kg). In some embodiments, the dry erase article has a weight of less than 1 pound (0.33 kg). In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic dry erase layer includes a hydrophilic silane or a hydrophilic acidified polyvinyl alcohol polymer which is crosslinked or chemically reacted to the surface.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0007] In the following detailed description, reference may be made to the accompanying set of drawings that form a part hereof and in which are shown by way of illustration several specific embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figs. 1-3 are schematic drawings of an exemplary embodiment of a dry erase article consistent with the teachings herein in use.

[0009] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a dry erase article consistent with the teachings herein.

[0010] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a dry erase article consistent with the teachings herein.

Detailed Description

[0011] The electrostatic, superhydrophilic dry erase articles of the present disclosure offer many advantages. In some embodiments, the dry erase articles can be applied to almost any indoor or outdoor surface. In some embodiments, the dry erase articles can be moved from place to place and/or repositioned. In some embodiments, the dry erase articles can be rolled, folded, or bent to make them highly portable and conformable to surfaces to which they will be applied. Because the dry erase article is held to the surface to which it is applied by its electrostatic charge, use of the article does not require placing adhesive adjacent to a wall or other surface. Elimination of adhesive eliminated the possibility that adhesive residue is left on the wall or surface when the dry erase article is removed, moved, or repositioned.

[0012] Figs. 1-3 are schematic drawings of one exemplary embodiment of a dry erase article of the present disclosure in use. Dry erase article 100 is superhydrophilic and electrostatic. It can come in flexible, reliable sheets and/or can be cut by the user to the desired size and shape. When a user desires to apply it to a surface, including, for example, a vertical or horizontal surface, the user places dry erase article 100 adjacent to the surface to which the user desires it to be applied (the wall W in Figs. 1-3) and then applies pressure to statically adhere or attach dry erase article to the surface.

[0013] The user may then write on dry erase article 100, as shown in Fig. 2. One advantage of the present disclosure is that the user of superhydrophilic dry erase enables the user to write with dry erase markers or permanent markers and to be able to completely erase either. Most dry erase articles do not permit the use of permanent markers, so this allows the user to grab almost whatever is in his/her bag and use it effectively and be able to erase it. Further, another advantage of being able to use permanent markers is that they do no smear on the dry erase article, like some dry erase markers can. This may be especially useful where the user plans to roll the dry erase article up after it has been written on. The permanent markers won’t smear even then!

[0014] As is shown in Fig. 3, the user may later remove dry erase article 100 from the wall or surface and roll, bend, or fold it for ease in transport.

[0015] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a dry erase article 200 including a substrate or electrostatic layer 210 adjacent to a dry erase layer 220. This embodiment could be, for example, prepared by coating dry erase layer 220 directly onto substrate or electrostatic layer 210. Alternatively, dry erase layer 220 could be mechanically held adjacent to substrate or electrostatic layer 210 by, for example, a frame, clips, hooks, or other mechanical means.

[0016] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a dry erase article 300 including a substrate or electrostatic layer 310 adjacent to an adhesive layer 330 adjacent to a dry erase layer 320. In this exemplary embodiment, adhesive layer 330 holds or adheres substrate or electrostatic layer 310 adjacent to the dry erase layer 320.

[0017] Substrate or Electrostatically Charged Faver

[0018] The substrate layer can be electrostatically charged or can be adjacent to a separate

electrostatically charged coating or layer. The substrate or electrostatically charged layer can be a single layer or multilayer. In some embodiments, the substrate and/or electrostatically charged layer is a plastic fdm such as, for example, a polyester, vinyl, urethane, polypropylene, or polyethylene material. In some embodiments, the substrate layer or electrically charged layer is a polyethylene or polypropylene fdm.

The plastic layer can be electrostatically charged. The substrate or electrostatically charged layer can be electrostatically charged as is described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 8,449,303, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein.

[0019] Where the substrate layer is not electrostatically charged, the substrate layer can be any desired layer or material that offers at least one of capable of being used in the electrostatic dry erase article, provides support to the dry erase coating or layer, etc. Some exemplary substrate layers include, for example, plastic and/or similar materials. Some exemplary plastics are thermoformed plastics.

[0020] Superhvdrophilic Dry Erase Laver or Coating

[0021] The dry erase layer or coating is a superhydrophilic layer or coating. Such superhydrophilic layers or coatings exhibit robust durable performance; receptivity to writing with a variety of writing instruments under a variety of conditions; and/or excellent erasability. In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic layer or coating includes a hydrophilic silane or a hydrophilic acidified polyvinyl alcohol polymer that is crosslinked or chemically reacted to the surface. Some embodiments include the superhydrophilic layers or coatings described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 9,527,336 or U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013-0164730, both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0022] In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic dry erase layer is adhered or laminated to the substrate and/or electrostatically charged layer. Some exemplary adhesives that can be used include, for example, silicone adhesives, acrylic adhesives, adhesives made from natural rubber or synthetic rubber, polyurethane adhesives, epoxy adhesives, repositionable adhesives (an example of which are microsphere adhesives) and the like.

[0023] In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic dry erase layer is mechanically attached to the substrate and/or electrostatically charged layer. Some exemplary mechanical attachment mechanisms include, for example, clips, hooks, hook and loop, a frame, nails, rivets, and similar attachment devices or mechanisms. In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic dry erase layer is a coating that is applied to at least a portion of the substrate layer. In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic dry erase layer and substrate layer have approximately the same size.

[0024] Portability:

[0025] In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic, electrostatically charged dry erase article is portable, meaning easily carried by the user. Portability often depends on factors like size and weight. The smaller and lighter the dry erase article is, the more portable it will be. However, the smaller the dry erase article is, the less it can be used by more than one user at a time. [0026] Any desired size of dry erase article that remains portable may be used. Some exemplary desired sizes are 15 inches (381 mm) by 8 inches (203 mm) by 1 inch (25 mm) or less, similar to a laptop. Dry erase articles of this size or smaller would have the added advantage of easily fitting into a backpack, briefcase, purse, or messenger bag along with, for example, a user’s laptop. In other embodiments, larger-sized dry erase articles can be used, such as, for example, 2 feet by 3 feet versions. These sizes are the external physical dimensions of the dry erase article. In some embodiments, the dry erase articles comes in a large roll, such as, for example, a 4 foot (1.22 m) x 50 foot (15.24 m) roll and the user can cut the desired sized and shaped piece.

[0027] Similar to size, weight also impacts portability. Any desired weight of dry erase article that remains portable may be used. Some exemplary weights are less than 3 lbs. (1.35 kg) or less than 1 lb. (0.33 kg).

[0028] Flexibility:

[0029] In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic, electrostatically charged dry erase article is flexible. Flexibility offers many advantages. For example, flexibility permits the dry erase article to be rolled, folded, or bent to make it highly portable. This is especially helpful with larger-sized embodiments. Further, flexibility of the dry erase article allows it to better conform to the surface on which the article is placed, which may be desired in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the dry erase article can be rolled into a cylinder such that its opposing ends touch without breaking or cracking. In some embodiments, the dry erase article can be held in the rolled form with, for example, a mechanical fastener (e.g., a paperclip or rubber band) for at least a week without breaking or cracking. In some embodiments, the dry erase article can be folded without breaking or cracking. The flexibility of the dry erase article is generally largely dictated by the flexibility of the substrate or electrostatically charged layer. In some embodiments, the substrate layer, electrostatically charged layer, and/or dry erase article is quite flexible, with an elastic modulus of less than 1 MPa. In other embodiments, the substrate or electrostatically charged layer or dry erase article is stiffer.

[0030] The recitation of all numerical ranges by endpoint is meant to include all numbers subsumed within the range (i.e., the range 1 to 10 includes, for example, 1, 1.5, 3.33, and 10).

[0031] The terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0032] Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

[0033] In this document, the terms“a” or“an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of“at least one” or“one or more.” In this document, the term“or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes“A but not B,”“B but not A,” and“A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms“including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and“comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms“first,”“second,” and“third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0034] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above- described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may he in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention can be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0035] Those having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments and implementations without departing from the underlying principles thereof. Further, various modifications and alterations of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the present application should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dry erase article, comprising:

an electrostatically charged layer; and

a superhydrophilic dry erase layer adjacent to the electrostatically charged layer.

2. The dry erase article of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of

(1) an adhesive and/or mechanical attachment mechanism holding the electrostatically charged layer adjacent to the superhydrophilic dry erase layer; and/or

(2) a substrate layer between the electrostatically charged layer and the superhydrophilic dry erase layer.

3. The dry erase article of claim 2, wherein the superhydrophilic dry erase layer is coated onto at least a portion of the substrate layer.

4. The dry erase article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrostatically charged layer and/or substrate layer includes at least one of polyester, vinyl, urethane, polypropylene, or polyethylene.

5. The dry erase article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the dry erase article has a weight of less than 3 pounds (1.35 kg).

6. The dry erase article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the dry erase article has a weight of less than 1 pound (0.33 kg).

7. The dry erase article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the superhydrophilic dry erase layer includes a hydrophilic silane or a hydrophilic acidified polyvinyl alcohol polymer which is crosslinked or chemically reacted to the surface.

8 A superhydrophilic, electrostatically charged dry erase article.