Popcorn ceiling patch

Abstract

A popcorn patch article has a flexible substrate with a sticky surface and a facing surface opposite the sticky surface, and an acoustic texture captured on the facing surface of the substrate.

Claims

1. A popcorn patch article comprising: a flexible substrate with a sticky surface and a facing surface opposite the sticky surface; an acoustic texture applied to the facing surface of the substrate; and a flexible cover coating applied over the combined acoustic texture and flexible substrate for capturing the acoustic texture on the facing surface of the substrate.

2. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the facing surface is a sticky surface, and at least one of the acoustic texture or the cover coating completely covers the facing surface.

3. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the acoustic texture is captured on the facing surface of the flexible substrate by being integrally formed in the flexible substrate.

4. The article as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sticky surface comprises an adhesive layer applied onto the flexible substrate.

5. The article as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sticky surface comprises microfibers integrally formed in the flexible substrate.

6. The article as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sticky surface comprises spines integrally formed in the flexible substrate.

7. A method for making a popcorn patch article, comprising the steps of: (a) applying an acoustic texture to a facing surface of a flexible substrate having a sticky surface opposite the facing surface; and then (b) applying a flexible cover coating over the acoustic texture, wherein the acoustic texture is applied to leave portions of the facing surface exposed, and the flexible cover coating is applied to cover both the acoustic texture and the exposed portions of the facing surface, thereby capturing the acoustic texture to the facing surface.

8. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible cover coating is a flexible water-resistant rubber coating applied to ensure that the acoustic texture will not crumble during shipping, handling and installation.

9. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible cover coating is a pre-formed coating.

10. A popcorn patch article for use on ceilings comprising: a flexible substrate with a sticky surface and a facing surface opposite the sticky surface; an acoustic texture applied to the facing surface of the substrate; and a preformed flexible cover coating applied over the combined acoustic texture and flexible substrate for securing the acoustic texture on the facing surface of the substrate, wherein the flexible cover coating is a leak-seal flexible rubber coating, and wherein the flexible cover coating and acoustic texture are applied to the facing surface prior to the application of the patch article.

11. The article as claimed in claim 10, wherein the acoustic texture is applied to the facing surface of the flexible substrate by being integrally formed in the flexible substrate.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a popcorn patch article according to a first embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a popcorn patch article according to a second embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 shows steps of a method for repairing a damaged acoustic ceiling, using a popcorn patch article according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) A popcorn or acoustic ceiling patch (Popcorn Patch), according to an embodiment of the invention, is a patch that has a simulated popcorn texture with a peel and stick backing. It is a flexible and paintable texture that is easily applied to the damaged area of the ceiling. It is available in at least three different popcorn textures ranging from small popcorn texture to large. It is available in various sizes to accommodate damaged areas from small to large, for example: a) 44 Patch b) 66 Patch c) 66 Roll.

(5) The large roll can be cut to size and used for many sized areas such as narrow, long strips along the ceiling where the wall and ceiling meet, or larger damaged ceiling areas than what the smaller Popcorn Patches would be used for. The large roll can be used in its entirety, similar to wallpaper, in order to cover large rectangular ceiling areas. Indeed, the large roll might be used for original installation of popcorn ceiling in new construction.

(6) In an exemplary embodiment, the following materials are used to make a popcorn patch article 100 that has a pre-sprayed popcorn texture, as shown in FIG. 1:

(7) Flexible substrate 110 with a sticky surface 112 and a backing layer 114, e.g., Controltac Graphic Marketing System brand label material as manufactured by 3M, or any sticky-backed cellulose, cloth, polymer, or metal substrate having structural properties suitable for use in the forms above described. Although the Controltac brand label material has an adhesive applied as its sticky surface, sticky surfaces equally may be mechanically formede.g., as microfibers, similar to the hairs of a gecko's foot; or as hooked fibers, similar to those of hook-and-loop fasteners; or as spines or prickles, with or without barbs, e.g., similar to those of thistles or cacti.

(8) Popcorn texture 120 (e.g., Homax brand, Zinnser brand, or any other popcorn texture available in stores or equivalent substance), which is sprayed onto a facing surface 116 of the flexible substrate 110. Although the exemplary Controltac Graphic Marketing System has a non-sticky facing surface and is convenient to handle, it may be equally acceptable to use a substrate 110 that has two sticky surfaces, e.g., in the nature of double-sided tape.

(9) Flexible cover coating 130 (e.g., Rust-oleum brand LeakSeal Flexible Rubber Coating, or any similar flexible and water-resistant coating), which is applied over the popcorn texture 120 to make it pliable for installation and also to ensure that the popcorn texture will not crumble/flake off during storage and/or shipping or after installation. In case the flexible substrate 110 might have two sticky surfaces, it will be particularly desirable to ensure that the popcorn texture 120, and/or the flexible cover coating 130, completely cover the sticky surface that otherwise might be exposed to accumulate dust as installed. Additionally, it may be desirable to apply the acoustic texture to leave portions of the facing surface exposed, and to apply the flexible cover coating to cover both the acoustic texture and the exposed portions of the facing surface, thereby capturing the acoustic texture to the facing surface. In case the acoustic ceiling has been water-damaged, better results may be obtained by priming the scraped ceiling prior to installation.

(10) According to other embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a popcorn patch article 200 with integrally molded popcorn texture may be formed (e.g. by injection molding, blow molding, or the like process) as a single molded polymer sheet 210 having an adhesive layer 220. In such embodiments, a popcorn texture 212 is integrally formed in the polymer sheet 210, while a backing layer 114 is provided as for the popcorn patch article 100.

(11) According to an aspect of the invention, the Popcorn Patch may be applied by a method 300 that comprises the following steps (as shown in FIG. 3):

(12) 301. Lay a drop cloth and/or plastic on the floor beneath the damaged area.

(13) 302. Remove the damaged popcorn by scraping (e.g., with a putty knife).

(14) 303. Optionally, brush away remaining debris.

(15) 304. Measure the diameter of the damaged area.

(16) 305. Peel backing paper off of the Popcorn Patch

(17) 306. Apply sticky side of the Popcorn Patch to the ceiling

(18) 307. Paint over flexible popcorn texture coating.

(19) Thus, in embodiments, either the damaged acoustic texture may be removed to fit the size of the available popcorn patch article; or the popcorn patch may be cut to the size of the area with removed acoustic texture. Optionally, small amounts of brush-on popcorn texture can be added to cover edges of the Popcorn Patch. Optionally, edges of the Popcorn Patch may be cut to irregular shape so as to obscure the seam between the Popcorn Patch and the original ceiling texture.

(20) Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to attached drawings, those skilled in the art will apprehend various changes in form and detail consistent with the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.