Method of applying adhesive coated film

Abstract

An adhesive-applying method is disclosed herein. The method comprises: providing a film comprising pressure sensitive adhesive coated on a major surface thereof; heating the film to a softening point of the film; and pressing the film against a substrate with an application device, the application device comprising a film-contacting portion, the film-contacting portion comprising a foam material and having a thermal conductivity of less than 1.8 BTU/hr-in-ft 2 -° F.; wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive on the major surface of the film adheres to the substrate. Application devices and kits that may be used in conjunction with the method are also disclosed herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for application of a film comprising adhesive coated on a major surface thereof, to a substrate having an irregular surface, the kit comprising:
 a heat source adapted to heat a portion of the film to the film's softening point;   an application device comprising a film-contacting portion, the film contacting portion comprising a foam material;   instructions for applying the film using the method comprising:
 using the heat source, heating a portion of the film to a softening point of the film to form a heated portion of the film; 
 using the film contacting portion of the application device, pressing the heated portion of the film against the irregular surface of the substrate with the application device such that the adhesive on the major surface of the film associated with said pressing adheres to the irregular surface of the substrate in a single pressing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 tenting the substrate against the irregular surface of the substrate.   
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the film contacting portion comprises a foam roller. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises a hot air source. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises an infrared radiation source. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the foam material comprises open cell foam material. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the open cell foam material comprises cells that are no larger than about 0.5 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 printing on the film.   
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the foam material comprises foamed silicone material.