Ultra-thin surface modification system

Abstract

This invention provides a thin laminate for modifying the appearance of a surface. The laminate includes a carrier film disposed against the lower surface of an indicia containing layer. The laminate may optionally include a bonding coat for attaching the laminate to a surface, at least one removable protective layer, and a release coating for facilitating the transfer of the laminate on a surface. The invention also provides methods and systems for modifying the appearance of a surface using the laminate.

1 . A thin surface modifying laminate comprising an indicia containing layer disposed on the upper surface of a carrier film.  
     
     
         2 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the combined thickness of the indicia containing layer and the carrier film is 8 mils or less.  
     
     
         3 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia containing layer is printed onto the upper surface of the carrier film.  
     
     
         4 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier film is perforated.  
     
     
         5 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 1 , further comprising a bonding coat disposed against the lower surface of the carrier film.  
     
     
         6 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper removable protective layer disposed above the indicia containing layer.  
     
     
         7 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 1 , further comprising a release coating sandwiched between the upper removable protective layer and the indicia containing layer.  
     
     
         8 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 1 , further comprising a lower removable protective layer disposed below the carrier film.  
     
     
         9 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier film comprises a polymeric or paper film.  
     
     
         10 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 5 , wherein the bonding coat comprises an adhesive selected from the group consisting of pressure sensitive adhesives, temperature sensitive adhesives, and repositionable adhesives.  
     
     
         11 . A thin surface modifying laminate comprising: 
 a) a perforated carrier film having an upper surface and a lower surface, the film at least partially covering a surface to be modified;    b) an indicia-containing layer disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the carrier film.    
     
     
         12 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier film comprises an average of at least 1 perforation per square foot.  
     
     
         13 . The thin surface modifying laminate of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier film comprises an average of no more than about 200 perforations per square foot.  
     
     
         14 . A system for modifying a surface comprising a thin surface modifying laminate comprising an indicia containing layer disposed on the upper surface of a carrier film disposed on a surface to be modified.  
     
     
         15 . The system for modifying a surface of  claim 14 , wherein the surface modifying laminate can be removed from the surface without the use of any stripping agents.  
     
     
         16 . The system for modifying a surface of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one top coat disposed over at least a portion of the surface modifying laminate and over at least a portion of the surface adjacent the surface modifying laminate.  
     
     
         17 . The system for modifying a surface of  claim 14 , further comprising a base coat disposed between the surface modifying laminate and the surface to be modified.  
     
     
         18 . The system for modifying a surface of  claim 14 , further comprising a second surface modifying laminate disposed above the first surface modifying laminate.  
     
     
         19 . The system for modifying a surface of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one top coat disposed above the second surface modifying laminate.  
     
     
         20 . A method for modifying a surface comprising applying a surface modifying laminate including an indicia containing layer disposed on the upper surface of a carrier film to a surface.  
     
     
         21 . The method for modifying a surface of  claim 20 , further comprising applying a top coat to at least a portion of the surface modifying laminate and at least a portion of the surface adjacent to the surface modifying laminate.  
     
     
         22 . The method for modifying a surface of  claim 21 , further comprising applying a base coat to the surface prior to the application of the surface modifying laminate.