SILICONE BASED SELF-ADHERING ARTICLE AND A METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

An article includes a non-tacky cured silicone first layer, an optional foamed material and a tacky cured silicone second layer wherein the first layer is directly bound to the second layer and the article is conformable to a body part. The article removably adheres to a body part. Also described is a method of making the article.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a formable article having a durable non-tacky front surface and more particularly to a formable article having a non-tacky front surface and an adhesive back surface.

BACKGROUND

Silicone based materials having a non-tacky front surface and a tacky back surface are known in the art and are typically used for many applications that involve light-weight articles such as wall hooks and the like. One such material type is described in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/377,555. However, current materials typically have a separate adhesive coating or layer that is applied to the one or more surfaces of the material which allows the material to adhere to a surface via pressure. Unfortunately, these types of materials either leave an unwanted residue that needs to be washed away and can damage a surface or the materials are not easily constructed, are only available on a limited basis and are not very modifiable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Described herein is an article comprising a non-tacky cured silicone first layer and a tacky cured silicone second layer. The first layer is directly bound to the second layer. The article is conformable to a body part. The article also can removably adhere to a body part without the use of an additional substance.

Also described is an article comprising a non-tacky cured silicone first layer at least partially disposed on and directly bound to a foamed silicone material and a tacky cured silicone second layer at least partially disposed on and directly bound to the foamed silicone material. The article is conformable to a body part. The article can removably adhere to a body part without the use of an additional substance.

Also described is a method of making the aforementioned articles. The method comprises applying a first uncured silicone to a mold; optionally disposing a foamed silicone material on at least a portion of the first uncured silicone; curing the first uncured silicone to form a cured non-tacky silicone first layer; disposing a second uncured silicone on the optional foamed silicone material and any exposed area of the first layer; and curing the second uncured silicone to form a tacky cured silicone second layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is an article that has a tacky backing to allow the article to removably adhere to a body part without leaving a residue that needs to be cleaned. Additionally, the article can be reused multiple times (i.e. multiple re-adhesions) and can withstand heat, rain, wind, cold and complete water submersion without un-adhering from the body part. The silicone article may be configured as desired. Moreover, the article is customizable and may be colored and/or may include “glow-in-the-dark” properties along with embedded designs and items (such as logos, beads, etc.). The silicone article may be written on with permanent marker or pen which is then removable with rubbing alcohol. Furthermore, makeup and other paints may be applied and easily removed.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” or “adjacent to” another element, it can be directly on or adjacent to the other element or intervening elements may be present there between. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly adjacent to” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Similarly, when an element is referred to as being “directly bound” to another element there is no intervening material or adhesive. Without being bound by theory it is believed that one layer is directly bound to another layer the layers are chemically bound through curing.

Referring to theFIG. 1,FIG. 2andFIG. 3, a side sectional view of the silicone article100is shown and includes a first layer102, an optional foam material104, and a second layer106, wherein the first layer102is at least partially disposed on the foam material104. The second layer106is at least partially disposed on the foam material when present and disposed on the exposed first layer102.

The first layer102comprises a non-tacky silicone material which has a non-tacky outer surface. The term “non-tacky” as used herein describes a surface, which exhibits no stickiness when touched by a human hand using a reasonable amount of force at room temperature. The first layer102includes a first layer outer surface108and may comprise pigment, dye, luminescent particles, fluorescent particles, or a combination thereof as desired, to allow the silicone material100to have decorative properties, such as glow-in-the-dark properties and/or a desired colored tint. Additionally, it is contemplated that the first layer102comprises any type of non-tacky silicone rubber suitable to the desired end purpose, such as, but not limited to, platinum cured silicone, tin cured silicone, RTV silicone and/or silicone gum. Such materials are commercially available. Suitable materials include Dragon Skin available from Smooth On, VST-50F available from Factor II, and p-125 available from Silicone Inc. The first layer102can have a thickness of 0.2 to 15 millimeters, or, 0.5 to 12 millimeters, or, 1 to 10 millimeters (mm). The thickness of the first layer may vary over the entirety of the article depending on the final form. It should be appreciated that the first layer102may be of any thickness as desired suitable to the desired end purpose.

The optional foam material104may be present in portions of the article or form a layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer as shown in the figures. The optional foam layer advantageously reduces the weight of the article while providing height and volume in locations where a more pronounced three dimensional effect is desired. For example, the foam material can be used to help form a prominent brow or nose as part of a facial mask.

The optional foam material comprises a silicone foam which is formed from a silicone polymer and a foaming agent. The foaming agent may be formed in situ by a chemical reaction or become activated by contact with air. In some cases the foaming agent can function as both a foaming agent and an initiator for curing. The foam material can be cured or uncured. Exemplary foam materials are commercially available as Soma Foma®25 from Smooth On or Platinum Silicone Foam from Factor II. The optional foam material may further comprise pigment, dye, luminescent particles, fluorescent particles, or a combination thereof as desired. The optional foam material may have a thickness of 0.1 to 30 mm, or, 0.2 to 20 mm, or, 0.5 to 12 mm and the thickness may vary across the material.

The second layer106comprises a tacky silicone, having high tack properties such that the outer surface is tacky (sticky) to the touch. “Tacky”, as used herein, refers to a material which is sticky to the touch and can adhere up to 1 gram of weight per square centimeter of tacky silicone to a vertical section of human skin for greater than or equal to 15 minutes. It should be appreciated that the second layer106leaves little and/or no film on a body part to which it adheres and then is removed.

It should be appreciated that the tacky silicone material used for the second layer106preferably comprises a hypoallergenic, skin safe material and provides for a permanent and/or reusable adhesion. For example, it is contemplated that the second layer106is constructed from any type of tacky silicone material suitable to the desired end purpose, such as, but not limited to, platinum cured silicone, tin cured silicone, RTV silicone and/or silicone gum. These materials are commercially available. Suitable materials include High Tack Silicone Gel A-4717 available from Factor II. Additionally, other commercial silicone materials such as Dragon Skin® available from Smooth-On can be modified by adding a silicone fluid such as Slacker® Tactile Mutilator available from Smooth-On and Si-Thinner available from Silicones Inc. The silicone fluid may be a low viscosity (<100 centistokes) non-reactive silicone fluid. The amount of the silicone fluid combined with the commercial silicone material will depend somewhat upon the molecular weight and characteristics of the commercial silicone material. A material which has a softer and more gel like feel will need less silicone fluid than a more rigid material to obtain the desired tackiness for adhesion to a body part. In an exemplary embodiment 15 weight percent of Dragon Skin® is mixed with 85 weight percent of Slacker® Tactile Mutilator, based on the combined weight of Dragon Skin® and Slacker® Tactile Mutilator, to form the tacky silicone material.

In at least one embodiment, the second layer106may have a thickness of 0.1 to 20 mm, or, 0.5 to 10 mm, or 1 to 2 mm. It is contemplated that in other embodiments the second layer106may vary in thickness and may be any thickness desired. It should be appreciated that the second layer106may be of any thickness as desired suitable to the desired end purpose.

It should be further appreciated that the tacky silicone material used in the second layer106may be a two part, clear to translucent, pourable silicone system that cures at room temperature to form a tacky material. Polymerization may occur without formation of heat. Polymerization may occur at room temperature without the application of heat. It is contemplated that the second layer106may be tin cured silicone, RTV silicone and/or silicone gum and, in some embodiments, heat may be used to accelerate the curing process. It should be appreciated that in another embodiment, the second layer106is not limited to a two part clear to translucent, pourable silicone system that cures at room temperature to form a tacky material and may be any tacky silicone material suitable to the desired end purpose. Thus, the system may have more or less than two parts.

For example, for some silicone materials, two parts are mixed together (A &B—where one is a catalyst and the other is the base), sometimes they are both liquids. Sometimes only one part is a liquid (for example, the catalyst) and the other is more like molasses consistency (for example, the base). And sometimes A&B are two solids that may be “rolled” or kneaded together to mix the catalyst and base together. If A&B are liquids, the tacky silicone material may be “poured” onto the non-tacky and spread onto the surface. If A&B are thicker, like molasses, the tacky silicone material may be painted or pressed onto the non-tacky material. And if A&B are solids, the tacky silicone material may be “rolled” onto the non-tacky. Thus, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to any one particular embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 4, an operational block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method200for fabricating the silicone article100is provided and includes, fabricating the first layer102, as shown in operational block202. This is accomplished by forming a non-tacky translucent rubber silicone material into a sheet. This may be achieved by pouring, rolling, forming (for 3-dimensional shapes) and/or pressing the non-tacky translucent rubber silicone material onto a mold surface to a desired thickness and/or shape. It should be appreciated that the mold shape may be any shape desired and is not limited to a flat surface or 2-dimensional shape. For example, in one embodiment, the mold surface may be a face or skull as shown inFIG. 5. In another embodiment, the mold surface may be an ear or scar, as shown inFIG. 6. Essentially, the silicone article100is not limited to only one shape and may be molded, cut and/or shaped into any shape desired. This is advantageous in several fields for several reasons, such as special effects (entertainment industry) and/or prosthetics (medical industry). Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the silicone article100may be used multiple times.

If desired, the non-tacky translucent rubber silicone material may be altered in physical appearance by adding pigments, dyes, powders (such as color and/or glow powders), flocking, reflector beads, etc. The non-tacky translucent rubber silicone material is then allowed to cure at room temperature to form the first layer102, as shown in operational block204.

Once the first layer102is formed and decorated as desired, the foamed material and the second layer or just the second layer is disposed onto the non-tacky translucent rubber silicone material, as shown in operational block206. The foamed material is typically placed in the desired location. The foamed material may be molded in the desired shape prior to placing it in the desired location. The application of the second layer may be accomplished by pouring, rolling and/or pressing the high tack silicone material onto the non-tacky translucent rubber silicone material and/or foam material. The tacky silicone material may comprise pigment, dye, luminescent particles, fluorescent particles, or a combination thereof as desired. The tacky silicone material is then allowed to cure at room temperature or with the application of heat to form the second layer106, as shown in operational block208. Once the second layer106is fully cured, a release layer110may be applied to the tacky outer surface of the second layer106, as shown in operational block210. This protects the tacky outer surface of the second layer106from sticking to itself or from picking up contaminants that would impede its ability to adhere to surfaces.

At this point, the silicone article100may be preformed, shaped and/or cut into desired shapes using a knife, razor, scissors, shape cutter, press, stamp or the silicone article100may rolled into a roll (such as ‘tape’) or other object for storage. It is contemplated that the non-tacky silicon material and/or the tacky silicone material may be actively (i.e. using an agent or a device/method) or passively cured (i.e. allowing the material to cure at room or other suitable temperature). Additionally, it is contemplated that the silicon article may be 3-dimensional and thus, may include shapes/contours in addition to “flat surfaces.” For example, the non-tacky silicon material may be configured to look like an ear, a nose, a scar, a bullet wound, a skull, a three dimensional facial mask, etc.