Polymeric surfacing film having double outline defining geometric shapes therein

Abstract

According to various examples, an assembly can include a backing. The assembly can also include a polymeric surfacing film adhered to the backing, the polymeric surfacing film. The polymeric surfacing film can include a first geometric shape. The polymeric surfacing film includes a continuous first cut defining the geometric shape and a continuous second cut spaced apart from and substantially congruent with the continuous first cut in at least one of an x and y direction. A portion of the polymeric surfacing film, located between the first cut and the second cut, is removable from the backing. According to some examples, the assembly can provide certain benefits over state of the art assemblies. For example, according to some examples, providing the first and second cut can make removal of at least the first geometric shape to be quicker and easier, which can result in significant savings in time and wasted materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method implemented by a computer processor for cutting a two-dimensional film and forming an assembly, the method comprising:
 selecting a pattern from a pattern data source, the pattern comprising:
 a continuous first perimeter defining a first geometric shape; and 
 a continuous second perimeter spaced apart from and substantially congruent with the continuous first perimeter in at least one of an x and y direction, 
   issuing at least one command to a cutter to cut the first geometric shape along each of the first perimeter and second perimeter in the two-dimensional film.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising issuing a second command to generate the continuous second perimeter following selecting the pattern. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically generating the continuous second perimeter based on the geometry of the continuous first perimeter. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first perimeter and the second perimeter are spaced from about 0.5 mm to about 20 mm apart. 
     
     
         5 . A system comprising:
 a memory;   a processor coupled to the memory, the memory including instructions, which when performed by the processor cause the processor to perform the operations comprising:
 selecting a pattern from a pattern data source, the pattern comprising:
 a continuous first perimeter defining a first geometric shape; and 
 a continuous second perimeter spaced apart from and substantially congruent with the continuous first perimeter in at least one of an x and y direction, and 
 
   a cutter adapted to receive a command issued by the processor for cutting the first geometric shape along each of the first perimeter and second perimeter in a two-dimensional film.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the instructions are adapted cause the processor to perform the operation of generating the continuous second perimeter following selecting the pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the instructions are adapted cause the processor to perform the operation of generating the continuous second perimeter automatically when selecting the pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first geometric shape comprises an interior feature defined by a continuous third perimeter defining the interior feature and a continuous fourth perimeter substantially congruent with the continuous third perimeter. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the pattern includes a second geometric shape comprising a fifth perimeter defining the second geometric shape and a sixth perimeter spaced apart from and substantially congruent with the fifth perimeter. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of:
 a portion of the second perimeter is incongruent with a portion of the first perimeter; and   a portion of the sixth perimeter is incongruent with a portion of the fifth perimeter.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the incongruent portion of the second perimeter and the incongruent portion of the sixth perimeter defines a tab.