Variable Adhesion for Removable, Architectural Glass Insulation

Abstract

Architectural glass can be insulated effectively with plastic foam laminates. This invention discloses a way to reduce the adhesion of strong, permanent adhesive compositions so that these adhesive surfaces will be modified to become removable from glass. The deposition of relatively inert particulate matter on at least part of the permanent adhesive composition can yield variable adhesion to glass, a highly desirable property. Since the plastic foam laminates can exceed 90% reduction in heat transfer from glass, and glass is such a desired material of construction, the need for this invention is great including substantial environmental preservation.

Claims

1) An exposed adhesive surface on a plastic foam laminate physically altered to be removable from architectural glass comprising: a water resistant adhesive composition with reduced surface adhesion induced by the deposition of relatively inert particulate matter on at least part of the adhesive surface.

2) The water resistant adhesive composition of claim 1 wherein, an adhesive removable from a glass surface results from the deposition of relatively inert particulate matter thereon.

3) The water resistant adhesive composition of claim 1 wherein, said adhesive composition is chosen from the group including rubber, synthetic rubber, solvent rubber, silicone or acrylic.

4) The water resistant adhesive composition of claim 1 wherein, said adhesive composition is chosen from the group including double sided adhesive film or adhesive transfer film meaning no carrier film with only the chemical adhesive present.

5) The water resistant adhesive composition of claim 4 wherein, at least one adhesive removable from a glass surface results from the deposition of relatively inert particulate matter thereon.

6) The water resistant adhesive composition of claim 4 wherein, at least one adhesive composition on the double sided adhesive film is chosen from the group including rubber, synthetic rubber, solvent rubber, silicone or acrylic.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a double sided adhesive film with a plastic film(2) and a permanent adhesive composition(1) with a glass removable adhesive(3) formed by the deposition of particulates(4) to achieve variable adhesion.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a depiction of a typical plastic foam insulating laminate with multiple lamination layers of film, adhesives and plastic foam.

APPLICATIONS

[0008] The primary application of these modified, adhesive films or compositions is for the field of plastic foam laminates. Large areas of the insulation must be glass removable. Conventional adhesives are too aggressive for easy removal from glass. With this present modification of adhesion, all shapes of plastic foam laminates can be cut including curved pieces and/or factory die cut pieces to make attractive insulation in homes, schools and commercial businesses. The insulation value created with the glass removable, plastic foam laminates can exceed 90% reductions in heat transfer.

[0009] Furthermore, this adhesive can be laminated to other insulation materials to effect substantial insulation value. Included are bubble wrap, textile fabric, and textile fibers and any other materials that have insulation value. However, the light transmission, the narrow width, the ease of cutting, the commercial availability and the artistic desirability make polyethylene foam the most desirable material of construction.

[0010] Similarly, particulates can be applied to water based adhesive compositions if their use is specified for relatively dry applications. Then, water based acrylic compositions can be used. Arid and very dry climates without significant glass condensation can use the water based adhesives. These applications, however, are limited.

EXAMPLE

[0011] A glass removable, plastic foam laminate was adhered to 68 square feet (6.32 square meters) of double pane window glass in a home in Prattville, Ala. USA. The total glass area of the home is approximately 148 square feet (13.7 square meters). The annual heating degree days is approximately 2250 and the annual cooling degree days is approximately 2250. The home uses electric cooling at $0.14 per kilowatt hour. The home uses propane heating at $3.00 per gallon. The electrical savings observed was $517 per year with a 25.5% reduction in air conditioning and mechanical wear depreciation. The propane savings was $481 reducing by 24.1% the heater depreciation. This result yields an annual savings of $15 per square foot of insulation. This savings amounts to the total material cost of the insulated window glass and frame. Furthermore, the six year pay back for many applications will be more than 20 times the cost of the insulating material. In addition to the energy savings, a windfall for the home, a windfall for the economy and a windfall for the environment will follow.