Removable protective covering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for masking a planar surface and providing information at the point of use of an assembly including the planar surface are disclosed. In one advantageous method in accordance with the present invention, a masking material comprising a substrate and an adhesive disposed over a first face of the substrate is provided. One or more strips of masking material are applied to a planar surface, and an information bearing sheet is applied over the one or more strips of masking material. In some embodiments, the protective covering comprises a free portion and a fixed portion. The free portion of the protective covering defining a first side of a channel and the face of the pane defining a second side of the channel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An assembly, comprising: 
 a pane having a face;    a protective covering overlaying the face of the pane;    the protective covering comprising a free portion and a fixed portion;    the free portion of the protective covering defining a first side of a channel; and    the face of the pane defining a second side of the channel.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed portion of the protective covering comprises an adherent portion of a first strip that is fixed to the pane by an adhesive; and 
 the free portion of the protective covering comprises a non-adherent portion of the first strip.    
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first strip comprises a substrate and the adhesive overlays at least an adhesive portion of the substrate.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the non-adherent portion of the first strip comprises an adhesive free surface of the substrate.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the non-adherent portion of the first strip comprises a liner overlaying a portion of the adhesive.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the channel further includes a third side defined by the adhesive.  
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the channel communicates with an opening extending between the free portion of the protective covering to the face of the pane.  
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the opening is substantially aligned with an outer perimeter of the protective covering.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the face of the pane includes an un-masked apron extending between an outer perimeter of the protective covering and an outer extent of the pane.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the opening faces the unmasked apron of the pane.  
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further including a frame fixed to an unmasked apron of the face of the pane; and 
 a tab extending between an outer perimeter of the protective covering and an inner border of the frame.    
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further including a pull tab comprising a portion of a strip which extends beyond an outer perimeter of the protective covering.  
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the free portion of the protective covering contacts the face of the pane and is easily lifted away from the face of the pane.  
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the free portion of the protective covering has a width that is similar to a thickness of a human finger.  
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the protective covering comprises a plurality of strips disposed in an overlapping arrangement.  
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further including an information bearing sheet overlaying the protective covering.  
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the information bearing sheet is disposed proximate the free portion of the protective covering so that a persons attention is drawn to information bearing sheet when the person grasps the free portion of the protective covering.  
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the information bearing sheet overlays the free portion of the protective covering.  
     
     
         19 . An assembly, comprising: 
 a pane having a face;    a protective covering overlaying the face of the pane;    the protective covering comprising a first strip overlaying a second strip;    a adherent portion of the first strip being fixed to a back surface of the second strip by an adhesive;    a non-adherent portion of the first strip defining a first side of a channel; and    the back surface of the second strip defining a second side of the channel.    
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the channel further includes a third side defined by the adhesive.  
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the non-adherent portion of the first strip overlays the back surface of the second strip and is easily lifted away from the back surface of the second strip.  
     
     
         22 . A method of protecting a masked area of a pane comprising the steps of: 
 applying a plurality of strips on a surface of a pane,    the strips being dimensioned and positioned to define an unmasked apron extending between an outer perimeter of a protective covering and an outer extent of the pane.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the unmasked apron dimensioned to mate with a frame.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the strips are positioned so as to at least partially overlap.