Abstract:
A device for measuring fabric and methods of making the device in accordance with the present disclosure are primarily characterized by a substantially rigid translucent base material and a flexible removable coating which resists the movement of the fabric. The removable coating is applied in liquid form, such as through spraying, and can cure at room temperature and under ambient lighting. The removable coating may be configured to be selectively removable, such that a user may selectively modify the degree to which the base removable coating resists movement of the fabric. In one embodiment, the liquid form of the removable coating is sprayed through a template so as to cure into a plurality of separately removable sections.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/352,230 filed on Jun. 20, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to devices for measuring and aiding in marking or cutting of substantially flexible materials or materials with a low coefficient of friction. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a quilting ruler with a non-slip coating to prevent fabric from easily shifting while being measured, marked, cut, or when slipping of the fabric relative to the ruler is otherwise undesirable. 
         [0003]    Rulers for aiding in quilting and other work with various cloth and fabrics are well known in the art. These rulers generally include a series or grouping of markings, such as a plurality of lines corresponding to different units of measurement. These lines are used by the quilter to measure the material, and the ruler is regularly also used to mark the material as well as to guide a cutting tool, when needed. It is often beneficial for the ruler to be translucent or, preferably, transparent, so that the fabric underneath the ruler can be visible to the quilter while using the ruler. To this end, it is known in the art to use transparent materials, such as clear acrylic, in the manufacture of quilting rulers. However, when measuring, marking, or cutting a piece of cloth or fabric, it is important to the quilter that the fabric not unintentionally move relative to the ruler. A material such as acrylic, with a typically smooth bottom surface contacting the fabric, may allow the fabric to slip easily. To try to prevent this, the user of the ruler must apply pressure to the fabric through the ruler. However, this pressure may need to be significant, making it difficult to use the ruler to hold the fabric in place and simultaneously measure, mark, or cut the fabric. Even when pressure is applied, the fabric may still move under the ruler. 
         [0004]    Complicated means have been designed to prevent slipping of the ruler on the fabric. These designs include handles to attempt to make it easier to stabilize the ruler, additional features, such as rubber feet, and pins which protrude through the base of the ruler. Rough surfaces have also been added to rulers, as well as rigid structures or elements. These methods tend to not be effective, are often cumbersome, can damage the fabric being measured, marked, or cut, can be expensive to manufacture, and, at best, offer the user the option of a predetermined amount of grip on the fabric, or none at all. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The disclosure relates to an improved measuring device for fabric, which can minimize relative movement of the fabric while it is being measured, marked, or cut. The disclosure is concerned with an improved, removable, flexible coating which is applied to a bottom surface of a rigid ruler base so that the ruler resists movement of the fabric without requiring an excessive amount of pressure, as well as a method of manufacturing the same. 
         [0006]    In a preferred embodiment, the spray-on coating comprises a rubberized material which can cure at room temperature and under ambient lighting to form a coating with a coefficient of friction that is higher than that of the rigid ruler base, resisting the movement of the fabric without requiring excessive or significant force. A spray-on coating which cures at elevated temperature or under specialized lighting may be used, though it is more preferable for the spray-on coating to require neither special heating nor lighting in order to cure. When a coating is used that can cure at room temperature or under ambient lighting, it may gain the benefit of not necessitating special environmental controls, equipment, and associated time and costs. It is preferable that the coating, when cured, remains substantially flexible at room temperature and is removable from the measuring device. The coating may be removed by peeling it off of the base, either in its entirety or in sections. The coating preferably does not require any special tools, heating, or chemical compounds in order to be removable from the base. A petroleum-based coating may be used, and a rubberized material coating may preferably be used so as to maintain flexibility after curing while also having a high coefficient of friction. Examples of such coating materials, which may be translucent or transparent and may be sprayed on, include LeakSeal®, manufactured by Rust-Oleum®, and Performix® brand Plasti Dip®, manufactured by Plasti Dip International, though other materials with similar properties may also be used. The coating layer thickness may vary, from below 0.5 mm thick to more than 5 mm, depending on the use and size of the measuring device and desired transparency, peelability or resistance to removal, frictional coefficient, and other properties. Greater or lesser thicknesses of coating may also be used, depending on the application and intended materials and environments of use. 
         [0007]    The measuring device may be used as a straight edge to aid in cutting of fabric, though curved edges may also be used, such as when a curved cutting guide is desired. The device may include markings to aid in measuring fabric. In some embodiments, these markings comprise a plurality of lines which denote increments of 1″, ½″, and ¼″, as well as lines which describe 90 degree and 45 degree angles. Other increments and angles may also be used, including, but not limited to, ⅛″, 30 degrees, or 60 degrees. These markings may be multiple colors or may all be a single color, and may also have varying thicknesses or saturations of color, or include multiple lines, so as to create bolder markings at certain intervals or locations, such as at 1″ increments. Markings, such as numbers, may also be within various shapes, such as a rectangle, and may be against a different color background, such as when differentiating between numbering for right-handed and left-handed measuring. In a preferred embodiment, the markings are on the top surface of the rigid ruler base. By having all of the markings be on the ruler base, and, more specifically, on the top of the ruler base, the functionality of the markings does not need to be lost by peeling away the removable coating. If the markings are not in direct contact with the removable coating then they do not need to be damaged or themselves peeled off when the coating is removed. It may also be desirable that the ruler base be translucent or transparent, and that the coating be at least translucent, and preferably transparent, when fully cured. Translucence and transparency improve the visibility through the measuring device to the fabric with which the coating is in contact. In a preferred embodiment, the ruler base is made of clear acrylic, though other translucent or transparent materials, such as styrene, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or variants such as PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified), or other materials known in the art, may also be used. 
         [0008]    Different users of the measuring device may have varying preferences for how much frictional resistance they desire between the measuring device and the fabric beneath it. Similarly, different fabrics will slip or be gripped by the coating layer to different degrees. Depending on the preferences of the user, the fabric being used, and the environment or given project, the user may wish to customize the frictional resistance between the coating layer and the fabric. A method of modifying the frictional resistance of the coating layer may include having that coating layer comprise a plurality of selectively removable sections. The selectively removable sections of the coating layer may be large portions of the entire surface, or may comprise a plurality of small selectively removable sections, or a combination of both. Substantially all of the coating layer may be selectively removable as geometric sections, or only one or more small subsections may be removable, while a larger portion of the coating layer remains on the bottom of the measuring device, maintaining a substantial proportion of the original frictional resistance of the coating layer. The entire coating layer may also be removable. The coating layer may comprise substantially rectangular, substantially triangular, or substantially hexagonal selectively removable sections. The coating layer may comprise other shapes, such as ovals or circles, though rectangles, triangles, and hexagons, or combinations thereof, may be desirable, as they may to be more easily formed into substantially contiguous patterns. 
         [0009]    The selectively removable sections of the coating layer may be created through a number of different methods. In one embodiment, the liquid coating is applied to substantially the entirety of the bottom surface of the ruler base. Depending on the viscosity of the spray-on coating material, the coating may be scored to create weak points in the cured coating layer before curing, during curing, or after curing. The coating layer scoring may define a plurality of gaps, or may comprise indentations or other variances in the coating layer. The variances in the coating layer may create stress or stretch foci when peeling the coating layer, causing it to separate selectively into sections. In an alternate embodiment, gaps or troughs may be mechanically formed in the coating layer, such as through passing a cutting tool through the coating layer to create pathways, substantially separating the coating layer into a plurality of sections. Variances in the coating layer may also be created by applying a press to the coating layer which may include prominent features to shape pathways in the coating layer, or may include proud points or edges to score or stamp the coating layer. 
         [0010]    In an alternate embodiment, the liquid coating may be applied in a selective pattern, through painting or spraying, so as to cure into separately removable sections. The liquid coating may also be applied to the bottom of the ruler base through a template or through a screen, so as to cure into separate sections of coating layer. The template may be used to create gaps or pathways which separate the coating layer into separately peelable sections or portions. The coating layer may also vary in thickness across the bottom of the measuring device. A screen may be used to permit more or less flow of liquid coating to different areas on the bottom surface of the ruler base, thus creating different thicknesses of coating when cured. The coating layer may also be applied through a means such as spraying, where time of spraying may be varied along different portions of the base so as to create different thicknesses of coating layer. Varying the thickness of the coating may be used to create weaker areas of coating which would guide how the coating layer tears or separates when sections are selectively peeled off of the bottom of the ruler base. 
         [0011]    In a further alternate embodiment, a preliminary coating may be applied to the bottom of the ruler base. This preliminary coating may be applied selectively, such as in a pattern or through a template or stencil, and may be a liquid or a powder. The preliminary coating may be selected such that, upon later application of the liquid coating, the preliminary coating selectively prevents or reduces the adhesion of areas of the liquid coating to the bottom of the ruler base, making portions of the coating layer more easily removable. Reduction of adhesion may also be beneficial over the entirety of the bottom surface of the ruler. It may be desirable to use a material, such as styrene, while wishing to improve the peelability and reduce the adhesion of the coating layer. The preliminary coating may also or alternatively prevent areas of the liquid coating from fully curing at room temperature and under ambient light. Such a preliminary coating may be applied in sections or patterns so as to create weak points, scoring, or pathways in the cured coating layer to enable the coating layer to be selective removable. The preliminary coating may also be applied in sections or patterns so as to create gaps or voids in the coating layer, including patches of coating with reduced friction. In another embodiment, the preliminary coating may increase adhesion of the coating layer to the bottom surface of the ruler base, making portions of the coating layer more difficult to peel or otherwise remove. 
         [0012]    It is to be understood that the above mentioned features and the features yet to be explained hereinafter can be used not only in the respectively mentioned combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the context of the present invention and disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The invention is now disclosed in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, where: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of one embodiment of a quilting ruler which includes markings and a coating of non-slip material of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a detail view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the ruler base with markings of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of an alternate square embodiment of the ruler base of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of a substantially triangular embodiment of the ruler base of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of an alternate triangular embodiment of the ruler base of the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows a top view of another alternate triangular embodiment of the ruler base of the present disclosure, including an alternate pattern of markings; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of an alternate hexagonal embodiment of the ruler base of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  shows a top view of an oval embodiment of the ruler base of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  shows a bottom view of the applied coating of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  shows an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a quilting ruler which includes markings and a coating of non-slip material of the present disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  shows a detail view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  shows a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  shows a bottom view of the applied coating of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  shows a bottom view of the applied coating of an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  shows a bottom view of the applied coating of another alternate embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  shows a bottom view of the applied coating of another alternate embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 19  shows a bottom view of the applied coating with scoring separations of an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 20  shows a detail view of the embodiment of  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the Figures and are explained in the following description in more detail, wherein identical reference numbers refer to identical, or similar, or functionally identical components. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a quilting ruler  110  comprising a ruler base  120  and an embodiment of a coating layer  130  according to aspects of the disclosure. The coating layer  130  is on the bottom, material-facing surface of the quilting ruler  110 . The ruler base  120  is formed of a substantially rigid and substantially transparent material. In a preferred embodiment, the ruler base  120  is formed of a material which may be transparent, such as acrylic, PET, or styrene, allowing the user of the quilting ruler  110  to see through the quilting ruler  110  to the material beneath the bottom surface. The ruler base  120  may be machined from stock material, molded complete, molded and then finish machined, surface milled, additively manufactured, three-dimensionally printed, or formed through other known manufacturing techniques. In one embodiment, the ruler base  120  is substantially rectangular and, in one embodiment, is 24″ long and 5″ wide. Other embodiments may include, but are not limited to, lengths of 12″, 18″, 30″, and 36″. Embodiments need not be limited to full inch increments, but may be sized unevenly when desired, such as 2½″ or 6½″. The ruler base may be substantially rectangular, or may be other shapes, such as a triangle, a circle or other oval, a hexagon, octagon, or other polygon, dresden shape, or may be a compound shape, such as a t-shape. The ruler base is preferably ⅛″ to 3/16″ thick, though it is understood that this thickness may be varied and may be thicker or thinner so to achieve preferred transparency, rigidity, and other properties, including but not limited to 1/16″ thickness and ½″ thickness. The ruler base may define one or more openings, which may be used for tracing through the ruler, pinning through the ruler, hanging the ruler, or for any other purpose. 
         [0036]    The coating layer  130  is applied to the bottom surface of the quilting ruler  110  as a coating, preferably through a spraying process. The coating layer  130  provides a greater frictional coefficient than the finished ruler base  120 , allowing the bottom of the quilting ruler  110  to resist the motion of fabric during usage of the quilting ruler  110 , such as during measuring, marking, or cutting of fabric. The coating layer  130  may comprise a relatively high friction coating substance, such as a rubberized material. The ruler base  120  and the coating layer  130  are each preferably translucent, and are each even more preferably transparent, allowing the user of the quilting ruler  110  to have substantial visibility of the fabric through the quilting ruler  110 . The coating layer  130  may be a spray-on coating and may have greater flexibility than the ruler base  120 . It is preferable that the coating layer  130  be able to be peeled off of the ruler base  120  by the user so as to selectively control the amount of coating on the bottom surface of the quilting ruler  110 , and thus adjust the friction of the bottom surface of the quilting ruler  110  and its grip on the fabric. It is preferable that the coating layer  130  be able to be applied to the ruler base  120  at room temperature. It is also preferable that the coating layer  130  does not require heat or UV light in order to cure. The coating layer  130  is preferably 0.5 mm thick to 5 mm thick, and even more preferably 1 mm thick, though it is understood that this thickness may be varied and may be thicker or thinner to achieve desired transparency, peelability or adhesion, frictional coefficient, or other properties for various environments, materials, or applications. 
         [0037]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the quilting ruler  110  also includes markings  140  on the top surface, opposite the bottom, material-facing surface. In this embodiment, the markings  140  may include linear measurement points at 1″ markings  141 , ½″ markings  142 , and ¼″  143  markings. The 1″ intervals are numbered with sequential numerals  144  and are bold. It should be understood that the numerals  144 , the 1″ interval line markings  141 , both the numerals  144  and the 1″ line markings  141 , or any combination of the markings  140  may be bold. All or some of the markings  140  may also be proud from or sunk within the top surface of the ruler base  120 , or a combination of both. In this embodiment, the ½″ and ¼″ intervals are not numbered and are not bold. Interval markings are preferably along each edge of the quilting ruler  110  to allow for use in any orientation. Each end of the quilting ruler  110  also preferably includes one or more 145 degree lines, preferably forming an “X” at each end, though other angles may also be used. Additional text, logos, and imagery may also be present. It is understood that different markings  140  may be preferred for different applications, and that different shapes of rulers may also necessitate different markings  140 . In a preferred embodiment, all or most of the markings  140  are on the ruler base  120 , and more preferably on the top surface of the ruler base  120 , and not on the coating layer  130 . The markings  140  may be engraved, silk screened, or printed through a number of known industry techniques. By having the markings  140  on the top surface of the ruler base  120 , the markings  140  are not disturbed, damaged, or removed by peeling away or otherwise removing any portion of the coating layer  130 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  shows a detail view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the edges of the ruler base  120  are rounded so as not to present any sharp points. It should be understood that corners and edges of the ruler base  120  may be rounded, chamfered, or may present a sharp edge, including substantially square corners and edges. This embodiment also shows the coating layer  130  applied to the bottom surface of the ruler base  120 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of the ruler base  120  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , including markings  140 . The markings  140  are preferably on the top surface of the ruler base  120 . Edges and corners of the ruler base  120  may be rounded or chamfered prior to applying the coating layer  130 , though sharp edges and substantially square corners may be preferable for some applications. Edges and corners may be left sharp, or chamfers, fillets, or other break edges may be applied or molded without deviation from the intent and spirit of this disclosure. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of the ruler base  120  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Markings  140 , including the 1″ markings  141 , ½″ markings  142 , ¼″ markings  413 , and numerals  144 , are preferably on the top surface of the ruler base  120 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of an alternate embodiment of the ruler base  220 . The ruler base  220  may be substantially square to allow for additional applications or per the preferences of the user. Markings  240  may be varied to match particular intended uses or shapes of the ruler base  220 . The ruler base  220  may be manufactured in a variety of sizes, including, but not limited to, 2″×2″, 2½″×18″, 4″×4″, 5″×5″, 5″×24″, 5½″×5½″, 6″×6″, 6½″×12″, 8″×8″, 8½″×8½″, 10″×10″, 10½″×10½″, and 12″×12″, though it is understood that smaller and larger sizes, including 1″×1″ and 36″×36″, may also be manufactured. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of a substantially triangular embodiment of the ruler base  320 . Markings  340  may be varied to match particular intended uses or shapes of the ruler base  320 . The ruler base  320  may be a substantially equilateral triangle, though it may also be a right triangle or an isosceles triangle, as well as triangles with varying angles and dimensions for specific intended uses. The ruler base  320  may be manufactured in a variety of sizes, including, but not limited to, sides that are 2″, 4″, 6″, 8″, 10″, and 12″, though it is understood that smaller and larger sizes, including 1″ and 36″, may also be manufactured. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of an alternate substantially triangular embodiment of the ruler base  420 , including alternate markings  440 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  shows a top view of another alternate substantially triangular embodiment of the ruler base  520 , including alternate markings  540 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of an alternate substantially hexagonal embodiment of the ruler base  620 . Markings  640  may be varied to match particular intended uses or shapes of the ruler base  620 . The ruler base  620  may be manufactured in a variety of sizes, including, but not limited to, sides that are 2″, 4″, 6″, 8″, 10″, and 12″, and opposing vertices that are 2″, 4″, 6″, 8″, 10″, or 12″ apart, though it is understood that smaller and larger sizes, including 1″ and 36″, may also be manufactured. 
         [0046]      FIG. 10  shows a top view of a substantially circular oval embodiment of the ruler base  720 , including alternate markings  740 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 11  shows a bottom view of the coating layer  130  of an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown, the coating layer  130  covers substantially the entire bottom surface of the ruler base  120  and is sprayed on so as to substantially conform to the size and shape of the ruler base  120 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 12  shows an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a quilting ruler  810  comprising a ruler base  820  and a coating layer  830 . In this embodiment, the coating layer  830  is applied to the bottom surface of the ruler base  820  so as to be selectively peelable. One or more gaps  850  are present between sections of the coating layer  830 . When a section of the coating layer  830  is peeled off of the bottom of the quilting ruler  810 , the gaps  850  permit other sections of the coating layer  830  to remain in place and on the bottom surface of the quilting ruler  810 . This allows the user to selectively alter the cumulative friction of the bottom of the quilting ruler  810  and customize how it holds the fabric in place during use. 
         [0049]      FIG. 13  shows a detail view of the quilting ruler  810  of  FIG. 12 . Gaps  850  separate sections of the coating layer  830 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 14  shows a bottom view of the quilting ruler  810  of  FIG. 12 . The markings  140 , including 1″ markings  141 , ½″ markings  142 , ¼″ markings  143 , and numerals  144  are visible through the translucent coating layer  830  and the transparent ruler base  820 . In this embodiment, gaps  850  are defined by the coating layer  830  and separate substantially hexagonal sections of coating layer  830 . The gaps may be formed through the use of a number of different methods, such as using a template or masking structures to prevent application of the spray of the coating layer  830  to the bottom surface of the ruler base  820 . The gaps may also be formed by spraying or painting a pattern of a powder or liquid onto the bottom of the ruler base  820  which prevents the coating layer  830  from adhering to the ruler base  820  where applied, with only the hexagonal pattern of the coating layer  830  remaining after manufacture of the quilting ruler  810 . Alternatively, the entire bottom surface of the ruler base  820  may have a coating layer  830  applied, which then has gaps mechanically created in it, selectively removing material so as to leave separate sections of coating layer  830 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 15  shows a bottom view of the coating layer  830  of  FIG. 12 . In this embodiment, separate sections of coating layer  830  define gaps  850 . The sections of coating layer  830  are predominantly hexagonal, though some sections are only portions of a hexagonal shape. 
         [0052]      FIG. 16  shows a bottom view of the coating layer  930  of an alternate embodiment of quilting ruler  910 . In this embodiment, separate triangular sections of coating layer  930  define gaps  950 . Though the sections of coating layer  930  are predominantly triangular, some sections are only portions of a triangular pattern. 
         [0053]      FIG. 17  shows a bottom view of the coating layer  1030  of an alternate embodiment of quilting ruler  1010 . In this embodiment, the coating layer  1030  is divided into predominantly horizontal or lengthwise segments along the bottom surface of the quilting ruler  1010 . The lengthwise segments of the coating layer  1030  define gaps  1050 . A coating or layer of material which reduces the adhesion of the coating layer  1030  may be applied to the bottom surface of the ruler base, allowing separate sections of the coating layer  1030  to be peeled off while retaining other sections. Alternately, a coating or layer of material which increases adhesion may also be applied. The gap  1050  may not be necessary if additional coatings are used. Such additional coatings may be applied to any of the embodiments of this disclosure. Though the embodiment in  FIG. 17  depicts three sections of lengthwise coating layer  1030 , as with all embodiments of this disclosure, it is understood that any number of sections may actually be used without deviating from the spirit or intent of the disclosure. 
         [0054]      FIG. 18  shows a bottom view of the coating layer  1130  of an alternate embodiment of the quilting ruler  1110 . In this embodiment, the coating layer  1130  is divided into predominantly vertical or widthwise segments along the bottom surface of the quilting ruler  1110 . The widthwise segments of the coating layer  1130  define gaps  1150 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 19  shows a bottom view the coating layer  1230  of an alternate embodiment of the quilting ruler  1210 . The coating layer  1230  comprises scoring points  1255  which direct separation of the coating layer  1230  into sections when being peeled off of the bottom of the quilting ruler  1210 . The scoring points  1255  may pass completely through the coating layer  1230  to the bottom surface of the ruler base  1220 , or they may only penetrate part way through the coating layer  1230 , creating a weakened area in the coating layer  1230  which allows sections of the coating layer  1230  to tear away from the remainder of the coating layer  1230  when being peeled off of the quilting ruler  1210 . The scoring points  1255  may be created through a template or masking means when applying the coating layer  1230  to the bottom surface of the ruler base  120 , or may be formed in the coating layer  1230  after the coating layer  1230  is applied, such as by means of mechanically compressing, stamping, displacing, or removing material from the coating layer  1230  after application. 
         [0056]      FIG. 20  shows a detail view of the coating layer  1230  of  FIG. 19 . The scoring points  1255  may vary in spacing and orientation, depth, and size, so as to achieve a desired resistance to separation during peeling of the coating layer  1230  from the quilting ruler  1210 . 
         [0057]    While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the claimed coverage.