Adhesives having a microreplicated topography and methods of making and using same

Abstract

Adhesives having a microreplicated topography are prepared from contacting a microembossed pattern to a layer of adhesive. When an adhesion interface is established between the layer of adhesive and a supporting substrate, the topography of the adhesive surface controls the performance of the adhesion interface. Articles having microreplicated adhesive surfaces are also disclosed that have an advantage of providing microchannels for fluid egress for an effective period of time. Multiple microembossed patterns produce microreplicated adhesive surfaces having both microchannels for fluid egress and pegs for improved adhesive properties.

1 . An adhesive article comprising: 
 (A) a continuous pressure sensitive adhesive layer having a first major surface and a second major surface, said first major surface comprising:    (a) a plurality of lands that provide a bonding surface for bonding the article to a substrate; and    (b) a plurality of channels between the lands that extend below the lands to a depth of about 3 μm to about 45 μm, and enable fluid egress when the article is applied to the substrate, wherein the channels occupy about 1% to about 65% of the total area of the first major surface of the adhesive layer;    (B) a backing comprising a flexible polymeric film having (i) a first major surface on the second major surface of the adhesive layer and (ii) a second major surface, wherein the second major surface of the backing bears a graphic image or is capable of being graphically imaged; and    (C) a release liner having a first major surface contacting the first major surface of the adhesive layer, wherein the first major surface of the release liner comprises (a) a plurality of lands corresponding to the lands of the first major surface of the adhesive layer, and (b) a plurality of ridges corresponding to the channels of the first major surface of the adhesive layer,    wherein the article is in the form of a large format image graphic film.    
   
   
       2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the channels occupy about 2% to about 50% of the total area of the first major surface of the adhesive layer.  
   
   
       3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the channels occupy about 5% to about 15% of the total area of the first major surface of the adhesive layer.