Protective Articles

Abstract

A protective article is disclosed including a sheet with a first surface, and at least one adhesive portion arranged on the first surface. The adhesive is a water-based adhesive, such as a water-based acrylic adhesive, that allows the sheet to be non-permanently adhered to an object. The adhesive may be sprayed, rolled, printed, or stamped onto the first surface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacture of a protective article, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a sheet with a first surface; and   applying at least one adhesive portion on to the first surface;   wherein the or each adhesive portion comprises a water-based adhesive that allows the sheet of material to be non-permanently adhered to an object.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive portion(s) is/are applied on to the first surface from either side of the sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying the at least one adhesive portion on to the first surface comprises spraying the water-based adhesive, or rolling the water-based adhesive, or printing the water-based adhesive, or stamping the water-based adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the water-based adhesive comprises a water-based acrylic adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the water-based adhesive comprises one or more colouring agents, dyes and/or pigments. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , the method comprising the step of folding the sheet such that an adhesive portion is brought into engagement with an adhesive-free portion of the first surface, or such that a first adhesive portion is brought into engagement with a second adhesive portion. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , the method comprising the step of initially folding the sheet before the application of the adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive portion(s) is/are applied to form a strip of adhesive extending a distance along the first surface. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising the step of drying the at least one adhesive portion. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein drying the at least one adhesive portion comprises applying heat from a heat source, optionally wherein the heat source comprises an infra-red heat source. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , the method comprising varying the rate of application of the water-based adhesive and/or varying the properties, e.g. chemistry, composition and/or colour, of the water-based adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for applying adhesive to a sheet comprising: an adhesive applying means operable to spray, roll, print or stamp a water-based adhesive on to a first surface of the sheet, so as to provide at least one adhesive portion on the first surface of the sheet, the water-based adhesive allowing, in use, the sheet to be non-permanently adhered to an object. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the adhesive applying means is operable to vary, e.g. in accordance with a predetermined program or on demand from an operator, the rate of applying of the water-based adhesive and/or the properties, e.g. chemistry, composition and/or colour, of the water-based adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  comprising one or more of: a delivery means for delivering water-based adhesive to the adhesive applying means; and a storage container for the water-based adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  comprising one or more of: a sheet delivery means configured to place the sheet so as to present the first surface of the sheet to the adhesive applying means and one of more folding means for folding the sheet along a fold. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  comprising a drying means arranged to dry the adhesive portion(s) on the first surface. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the drying means comprises a heat source, optionally an infrared heat source. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the heat source is controllable to vary the drying rate. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  comprising one or more of: a cutting means for cutting the sheet of material; and an embossing means, a printing means and/or a stamping means for imparting a surface texture or decoration to the sheet. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for manufacturing a protective article comprising the apparatus according to  claim 12 .