Layered Removable Graffiti Skin

Abstract

Improvements in a graffiti covering skin are disclosed the covering skin is formed from multiple layers of transparent or filtering layers that can be individually removed to provide a new layer without graffiti or damage. Each layer of the skin provides different functions to provide a material that covers existing graffiti and creates a new surface that reduces or repels future graffiti from being placed on the original host surface. One of the layers can be a visual pattern layer that provides the desired appearance of a hard surface of stainless steel, mirror, wood, color, marble, granite or light filtering. This layer provides a structural rigidity that maintains dimensional stability. The skin is backed with a removable adhesive that is removed from the host surface without leaving a residue. Each skin is measured and cut to the desired size before placement in a host surface.

Claims

1. A method of forming a layered removable covering film for covering a surface from graffiti, said method comprising: providing a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; forming an adhesive layer including a removably secured release liner on the bottom surface of the substrate; providing a plurality of removable film sheets and bonding the removable sheets together with acrylic bond wherein no air gaps are created between the removable film sheets thereby forming a laminated assembly; and laser obliterating holes through the plurality of removable film sheets of the laminated assembly for sequential removal of the plurality of removable film sheets.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: forming the removable adhesive layer manually and not by a thermal vacuum process.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of forming the removable adhesive layer is performed by forming an acrylic based pressure sensitive adhesive blend of self-cross linking acrylic polymers.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: providing an outer protective cosmetic layer on top of the topmost removable film sheet of laminated assembly.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: forming a protective cosmetic layer on the topmost layer of the multiple layers of the laminated assembly.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: inserting a tool into the obliterated holes to remove a single removable film sheet.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the outer protective cosmetic layer is transparent or translucent.

8. The method of claim 1 where further including the step of: forming the substrate between 0.0005 to 0.0250 thick.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: installing the laminate assembly to a host surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0018] FIG. 1 shows the layers of the laminate.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a table of the process settings that were used for boring the holes in FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 3A-3C show cross-sectional views the film with different obliterated layers.

[0021] FIG. 4 shown the steps used to cover an existing base mirror, window, wall or surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] FIG. 1 shows the construction layers of the graffiti covering skin 10. In this preferred embodiment the graffiti covering skin 10 may have an outer layer comprising a protective coating or film that protects the inner layer(s) from damage in transit or installation. The outer layer 30 that can also be satin, flat, high gloss, paper or other material or finish that can aid in installation. The protective surface is transparent or translucent and may be colored to provide a tint to any underlying layers. This outer surface 30 repels some damage from vandalism and is provides a smooth cosmetic surface for protection of the next layer. The outer surface is also acid resistant.

[0023] The next layers 20, 21, 22 and 23 are removable transparent, translucent or opaque layers and may also include a visual pattern or filtering overlay. In one preferred embodiment, the bottom layer 24 is a stainless steel or reflective mirror overlay or has an outer cosmetic surface that has the desired appearance and texture. In some embodiments this can be a brushed finish, a satin finish, a mirror, a reflective or other finish as desired or specified by the customer. It is also contemplated that this surface can be a screened, printed or painted surface of material that simulates the desired stainless steel, copper, brass, wallpaper or other desired surface to match an existing substrate. The appearance of covered surface can be changed, as an example of an elevator being changed from bronze to stainless steel to provide an updated appearance. The exterior surface is not applied in a thermal vacuum formed process. While painting is disclosed as a possible surface coating on the outer surface of the overlay, the overlay is not paint that is applied directly to a surface. The overlay is also not intended for use on painted walls or surfaces. The overlay is further not intended to be a discoloration barrier.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment the visual pattern is smooth, textured, wood grain, marble, granite, colored appearance. The pattern can simulate the underlying hard surface or can change the appearance of the underlying surface for example changing the interior of an elevator from stainless steel to wood grain. It is further contemplated that the visual pattern can be light filtering to provide UV or other filtering that provides light protection to the interior of the building and or reduces cooling expenses.

[0025] This layer 24 provides a structural rigidity that maintains dimensional stability. It reacts like a sheet of material that is much thicker than the individual layer of material of stainless steel that is being used. The thickness of the graffiti covering skin 40 is sufficient to cover imperfections, scratches or gouges in the surface that is being covered.

[0026] The multilayer film works with medical visors, helmets and other uses wherein dirt, debris, scratches or contamination of the viewing surface results in serious issues and requires prompt, easy and rapid removal to restore visual acuity. The multiple layers 20, 21, 22 and 23 allow fast easy removal of damaged layers or surface contamination. Each layer has thick construction allows face shields to hold their shape. The removable layers leave no residue on underlying layer of face shield. Each layer 20, 21, 22 and 23 is 100 micron HC PET. Each layer is bonded together with no air gaps in construction results in high visible light transmission.

[0027] To produce the holes 25, 26 and 27, a Universal Laser Systems PLS6.75, with a 50 watt, 9.3 pm C02 laser and a 2.0 lens. It is also contemplated to utilize a blade driven CNC to layers and holes. Compressed air/gas is directed along the path of the laser beam. The cone protects the focusing optics, cools material and prevents flame up of smoke and fumes. A Downdraft Cutting Table is designed to support material on an open honeycomb surface and exhaust smoke and fumes from both sides of the material being processed to produce cleaner cut edges and reduce marring of the back surface of the material. When used in conjunction with air/gas assist and a cone, compressed air/gas helps direct smoke and fumes through the cut and then into the exhaust path incorporated in the downdraft cutting table.

[0028] The release liner 29 is removable secured to the back of the removable adhesive (R.A.) layer 24. This release liner 29 is removed from the bonded layer prior to installation of the graffiti covering skin on the host surface.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a table of the process settings that were used for boring the holes 25, 26 and 27 in FIG. 1. This table shows the power, speed and image density that is used to obliterate material for the desired number of layers to be removed. Removal of holes generally require the use of a tool to remove a specific layer. This prevents a person from picking at an edge to remove a layer.

[0030] FIG. 3A-3C show cross-sectional views the film with different obliterated layers. In these figures, micrographs (1 SOx) of the layer 84, layer 83, and layer 82 for process results respectively. Images of the final samples cut from the Mirror Shield and 4Layer Mirror Shield. When cutting the Mirror Shield materials, edge quality was far superior when cutting with the PET layer facing upwards. Otherwise, the aluminum edge was jagged and rough.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows the process that is used to prepare and cover a base surface with the graffiti covering skin. When the installation job is scheduled, one or more people will measure and document an entire job site. This could be a panel in an elevator, escalator, wall panel, counters, store front of windows, or transportation vehicle walls and or windows such as a train or bus. The process can further be applied to large areas such as an entire transit station or similar encompassing significant amounts of hard surfaces. The graffiti covering skin is applied in a wet process where the moisture is squeegeed out and air dried to create the removable bond.

[0032] Each panel is measured and documented 60 to ensure that cut pieces will be installed in the correct location with little or no trimming upon installation. This also ensure that if a panel needs to be replaced it can be cut and installed without requiring the panel to be re-measured.

[0033] The majority of the material used, predominantly, has a clear, obscuring, mirror, filtering, brushed or grain surface appearance. The cosmetic appearance can be from printing, painting, screening, brushing, or other processes. Other finishes can be selected as well as brush/grain direction can be selected 61. An obscuring or filtering can prevent clear vision through the material. The obscuring prevents visual acuity test using a 3 meter Snellen eye chart to obscure vision through the layers by an observer with 6 meter/9 meter vision to read a line on the eye chart. Raw material is ordered 70 based upon the calculated area that is being covered and scrap that may exist from trimming and installation. A computer algorithm combines pieces and adjusts orientation to accommodate shapes, angles to optimize the graffiti covering skin material 62. Each piece is cut and identified for the job and location for placement. The holes are then bored 67 to allow sequential removal of individual layers.

[0034] At the job site the host surface is prepared by cleaning or removal of previous adhesives, oils, gum or other foreign material 63 that might cause problems with installation or adherence of the graffiti covering skin. The graffiti covering skin is then centered and installed onto the host wall or existing base 64. Over a period of time a surface can be damaged from vandals, age or a desire to update an appearance. Because the area has been documented in the past, the previous skin can be removed 65 and replacement will be the selected 66 cut and replaced on the host surface. This process can be repeated when desired or required without damage to the underlying host surface.

[0035] Heat is not required for application of the covering skin in the installation process. The covering skin is designed to be removable without leaving any adhesive or other material that must be separately removed.

[0036] Thus, specific embodiments of a layered removable graffiti skin have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

[0037] While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have been described in reference to the environment in which they were developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of the inventions. The elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated into each of the other species to obtain the benefits of those elements in combination with such other species, and the various beneficial features may be employed in embodiments alone or in combination with each other. Other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the inventions and the scope of the appended claims.