Methods fro preparing modified release liners and modified adhesive articles

Abstract

Adhesive articles are prepared through the use of modified release liners. The modified release liners include a fracturable layer and a release surface partially covering the fracturable layer. The modified release liners may be prepared by selective coating of a release material onto the fracturable layer or by selective treatment of a release surface to expose portions of the fracturable layer. Upon removal of an adhesive layer adhered to the modified release liner, portions of the fracturable layer of the release liner adhere to the adhesive layer to form a modified adhesive layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of preparing a release liner comprising:
 providing a base layer wherein the base layer comprises a fracturable layer; and   selectively coating a release coating onto the fracturable layer leaving regions of fracturable layer uncovered by the release surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the base layer comprises paper, coated paper, a non-woven web, a coated polymer web or a foamed web. 
     
     
         3 . A method of preparing a modified release liner comprising:
 providing a release liner, wherein the release liner comprises a base layer that comprises a fracturable layer and a release coating on the fracturable layer; and   selectively treating regions of the release coating, wherein the treatment selectively exposes the fracturable layer at the treatment sites or changes the surface energy of the release coating in the selected regions.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein selectively treating the release coating comprises selective physical abrasion, selective chemical treatment or selective application of an energy source. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein selective physical abrasion comprises scraping, cutting, sanding, slicing, partial or complete perforation, blasting, scribing, ablating, burnishing, engraving, or knurling. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein selective chemical treatment comprises selective application of an oxidizing agent, a strong base or a solvent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein selective application of an energy source comprises selective flame treatment, selective corona treatment, selective electron beam treatment, selective plasma treatment, or selective laser treatment.