Abstract:
A strip for dispensing adhesive notes is described. The strip includes a row of at least first, second and third notes disposed consecutively in lateral alignment removably adhered to a row of at least first, second and third release sheets disposed consecutively in lateral alignment such that each note is disposed in alternate staggered relation to each release sheet. The individual note may be removed with its corresponding laterally offset release sheet in order to avoid a continuous release sheet stream at the point of dispensing. The notes and release sheets may be separated by transverse score lines, perforation lines, or lines of weakness in order to facilitate their removal from the strip. The strip may be placed in a row form and placed in a dispenser as part of a dispensing kit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention is in the field of adhesive sheets in roll form and a method for making them. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Label assemblies which utilize pressure sensitive adhesive coated labels adhered to a continuous release sheet are known. Such label assemblies are available in sheet or roll form with, or without, a blank facing capable of receiving markings. Such label assemblies are often used to mark folders, address envelopes, label containers, label file cabinets, label shelves and so forth. Typically, such labels are made of paper and are removed from the release sheet by bending the release sheet and “picking” at the label. 
     In many applications, such as, industrial settings, research and development laboratories, warehouses and the like, it is found that previous removable notes and labels utilizing continuous release sheets tend to create long streams and undesirable piles of the release sheets after the notes have been removed. The presence of the release sheet streams and piles tends to create an unsightly and cluttered environment. Additionally, the streams and piles of release sheets may interfere with or inhibit the ability of a user of the removable notes and labels to get to and remove the notes and labels. This situation is exacerbated particularly where the notes and labels are heavily used, where the streams and piles of release sheets tend to grow relatively quickly, before being cleared away. The additional time and attention directed to the piles of release sheets reduces overall productivity and creates an undesirable work environment. 
     Moreover, in such situations where the label is removed from a continuous release sheet, the entire adhesive surface is immediately exposed. It would be beneficial if the full surface of the note having the pressure sensitive adhesive would not have to be exposed until just before the user desired to place the note. 
     Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a release sheet and note strip that overcomes the aforementioned problems that provides an adhesive note that is dispensed with a release sheet attached. In this way, the release sheet can be disposed of at the point of placement, which may not necessarily be close to the initial dispensing area. The removal of the release sheets from the dispensing area would reduce the amount of release sheet obstruction at the point of note dispensing. Additionally, it would be desirable to be able to provide as “fresh” an adhesive surface as possible by allowing for the removal of the release sheet, if desired, just prior to placement of the note. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a repositionable adhesive note dispensing roll having individual release sheets that overcomes the aforementioned problems. 
     One aspect of this invention is a strip for dispensing adhesive notes, said strip comprising: 
     (a) a row of at least a first, second and third release sheet disposed consecutively relative to each other in lateral alignment; and 
     (b) a row of at least a first, second and third note disposed consecutively relative to each other in lateral alignment, said row of notes facing said row of release sheets and laterally offset relative to said row of release sheets such that each note and each release sheet is disposed in alternate staggered relationship relative to each other, each note defining a first and a second face, said first face being printable thereon and said second face having an adhesive applied thereon such that said layer of adhesive releasibly adheres to adjacent sheets of said row of release sheets so that at least one note may be peeled from the strip together with a corresponding number of adjacent release sheets. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a strip for dispensing adhesive notes is disclosed, said strip comprising: 
     (a) a plurality of release sheets including at least a first. second and third release sheet, each sheet having a first and second side and a first and a second portion on the first side; and 
     (b) a plurality of notes including at least a first, second and third note, each note :defining a printable first face and an adhesive second face. each note having a first and a second part, 
     said first portion of said first release sheet being releasibly adheled to said second part of said first note, said second portion of said first release sheet being releasibly adhered to said first part of said second note, said second part of said second note being releasibly adhered to said first portion of said second release sheet. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a strip for dispensing adhesive notes is disclosed comprising: 
     (a) a first web having one surface coated with an adhesive; and 
     (b) a second web having at least one release surface facing and releasibly engaged with the adhesive surface of the first web, the first web defining a series of transverse score lines or lines of weakness and the second web also defining one of a series of transverse score lines and lines of weakness, wherein the transverse score lines or lines of weakness of the second web are in staggered relationship to the transverse score lines or lines of weakness of the first web. 
     Another aspect of this invention is an adhesive note dispensing kit comprising: 
     a strip for dispensing adhesive notes in a roll form; and 
     a dispenser adapted for holding the strip such that the strip rotates about a roll form axis to present, for removal by pulling. an adhesive note together with at least one release sheet. 
     Another aspect of this invention is a method for making the strip of the present invention comprising: 
     adherinig a continuous note sheet having a pressure sensitive adhesive to a continuous release sheet; 
     sectioning the continuous note sheet into a plurality of notes; and 
     sectioning the continuous release sheet into a plurality of release sheets laterally offset from the notes. 
     These and other aspects of the invention are described in greater detail below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kit for dispensing adhesive notes illustrating the removal of a note and release sheet from the strip in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a strip of the present invention illustrating the removal of the note and release sheet. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view illustrating the front side of an enlarged portion of the unrolled end of the strip of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a partial bottom plan view illustrating the back side of the enlarged portion of the unrolled end of the strip of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the strip taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the strip taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 7 is a partial top plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of an enlarged portion of the unrolled end of the strip of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 8 is a partial top plan view illustrating another alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The adhesive notes of the present invention may be constructed of any materials known in the adhesive note art such as paper, synthetic materials, cloth, or plastic film and having any suitable adhesive note characteristics. The adhesive notes are preferably made of a flexible polymer film, polymer-reinforced sheet or cloth having a Taber stiffness of not less than 0.03, preferably not less than 0.05, measured according to ASTM D747. The polymer film, polymer-reinforced sheet or cloth preferably has a tensile strength of at least 2000, preferably 4000 and more preferably 5000, N/m, up to any value, such as up to 8000 N/m and it also preferably has a minimum elongation of at least about 4 percent and more preferably at least about 50 percent, the tensile strength and percent minimum elongation being measured according to ASTM D1000. 
     The film, sheet or cloth may be selected from a wide range of materials. Examples include polymer films made of natural and/or synthetic polar and/or nonpolar materials such as polyolefins, e.g., homopolymers and interpolymers derived from substituted and unsubstituted olefinically unsaturated hydrocarbons including ethylene, propylene, styrene, butadiene, dicyclopentadiene, etc., and materials which contain polar functional groups such as hydroxyls, etherals, carbonyls, carboxylic acids (including salts thereof), carboxylic acid esters (including thio esters), carboxylic anhydrides, amides, amines, etc. Synthetic materials having polar groups are preferred. Illustrative examples include polyesters, polyamides, and carboxylated styrene-butadiene polymers. 
     The polymer-reinforced sheets comprise at least one of the natural or synthetic polymers described above together with a reinforcing material. The reinforcing material may be organic or inorganic. Illustrative organic materials include natural materials such as cellulosic fibers such as cotton, paper, hemp, etc., and synthetic materials such as fibers made of the aforementioned natural or synthetic polymers. Inorganic materials include any of the many well known fillers used in the plastics industry such as silica, talc, mica, etc. 
     The front surface of the film, sheet or cloth is capable of receiving markings. This capability is either an inherent property of the film, sheet or cloth or is obtained by a treatment of its surface using conventional means known in the art. Preferably the front surface is capable of receiving markings with a ballpoint pen, a marking pen or a pencil. It is also preferable that the front surface be capable of absorbing ink such as ballpoint or marking pen ink into the surface to reduce potential smearing of the ink after it is applied. 
     The adhesive may be applied to the above films, sheets and cloths in a conventional manner, such as by spraying, knife coating, roller coating, casting, drum coating, extrusion coating, coextrusion coating, and the like or unsupported pressure sensitive adhesive may be transferred or laminated to the film, sheet or cloth. The adhesive is preferably coated in a manner which covers substantially the entire back side of the film, sheet or cloth. The adhesive is preferably coated at a thickness in the range from 0.5 to 3 mil, more preferably in the range from 1 to 3 mil. 
     The adhesive combines an initial tack value of at least 200 g according to ASTM D2979 measured on a Polyken™ probe tack tester, an adhesive strength of at least 100 N/m according to ASTM D1000 and an adhesive tack sufficient to prevent conformability failure of the adhesive sheet after 10 hours conformability testing (which is further described below) and yet having a cohesive strength sufficient to allow removal of the adhesive sheet from the substrate without leaving any residue behind on the substrate. 
     Typically, the adhesives which are useful in the present invention comprise an elastomeric polymer. Examples of useful elastomeric polymers include natural rubber, styrene/diene rubber such as styrene/butadiene block copolymer, styrene/isoprene block copolymer, styrene/ethylene-butylene block copolymer, polyisobutylene rubber, and acrylic elastomer. Specific examples of elastomeric polymers include Heveacrumbr™ (natural rubber) available from Herron &amp; Meyer, Synpol™ (a styrene/butadiene copolymer rubber) available from Ameripol Synpol Corp., Vistanex™ (a polyisobutylene elastomer) available from Exxon Chemical, Duro-Tak™ (an acrylic resin elastomeric adhesive) available from National Starch and Chemical Corp., and Aroset™ (a modified acrylic resin elastomeric adhesive) available from Ashland Chemical, Inc. 
     The adhesives useful in the present invention also may contain one or more tackifier resins such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, rosin ester, synthetic hydrocarbon tackifier, and low molecular weight, low glass transition temperature polycarboxylic acid esters. Preferred tackifiers include rosin esters, polyterpenes, and polybutenes. Specific examples of tackifier resins include Foral™ (a rosin ester tackifier) and Piccolyte™ (a polyterpene tackifier), both available from Hercules, Inc., and Indopol™ (a polybutene tackifier) available from Amoco Chemicals Corp. 
     Antioxidants are employed to the extent necessary to prevent degradation of the adhesive with time. Examples include hydroquinone and hindered phenol antioxidants. Specific examples of antioxidants include Santovar A (2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone antioxidant) available from Flexsys America L.P., Agerite Resin D (polymerized 1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline monomer) available from R. T. Vanderbilt Co. and Wingstay L (butylated reaction product of p-cresol and dicyclopentadiene) available from Goodyear Tire &amp; Rubber Co. 
     Adhesive formulations may include a plasticizer, such as a polyketone resin, and/or a surfactant, such as Tween™, a polysorbate  20  surfactant available from ICI Specialties Mfg. 
     When the adhesive contains a tackifier, the tackifier may be present in a wide range of amounts, depending on the amount required to achieve the required initial tack value, adhesive tack and adhesive strength. In one embodiment, the adhesive has a weight ratio of tackifier to elastomer in the range from 0.5 to 2.0:1, preferably in the range from 0.8 to 1.8:1. 
     In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the adhesive formulation used to make the adhesive sheets comprises at least one elastomer, at least one tackifier, at least one antioxidant, at least one curing agent, at least one accelerator, and at least one solvent. The elastomer is preferably present in an amount of at least 5 wt %, more preferably at least 10 wt %, up to 25 wt %, more preferably up to 20 wt %. The tackifier is preferably present in an amount of at least 5 wt %, more preferably at least 10 wt %, up to 40 wt %, more preferably up to 30 wt %. The curing agent is preferably present in an amount of at least 0.1 wt % up to 10 wt %. The accelerator is preferably present in an amount from 0.1 to 1 wt %. 
     In another preferred embodiment of this invention, the adhesive formulation used to make the adhesive sheets comprises at least one acrylic-based adhesive in an appropriate solvent. 
     One approach to preparing an adhesive for use in this invention is to add elastomeric polymer, antioxidant, curing agent and accelerator to a tackifier resin which has been thinned with an appropriate solvent, adding additional appropriate solvent as needed. 
     Curing of the adhesive may be activated by any conventional method, such as by exposure to air, elevated temperatures and/or radiation. Examples of radiation include ultraviolet light and actinic radiation. Curing via exposure to radiation includes the use of curing initiators which generate sufficient free radicals upon exposure to the selected radiation to initiate curing of the adhesive. Such initiators are well known in the polymer curing art. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment of this invention, the adhesive is formulated with little or no solvent for application as a hot melt thermoplastic adhesive. Hot melt thermoplastic adhesives typically contain little or no solvent. Any of a wide range of thermoplastic adhesives may be used as long as they comply with the conditions set forth above. They are commercially available from several manufacturers. Examples include HL-2194-X, HM-2703, HL-2198-X and HL-2268-X available from H. B. Fuller Co.; Duro-Tak™ 9820, 6123, 4136 and 1236 available from National Starch and Chemical Corp.; CA-501 (SIS/SBS), CA-502-4A (SIS/SBS), CA-503-A (SIS/SBS), CA-506 (SIS/SBS), C-X805-1 (Acrylic), C-882 (Acrylic), and C-X885 (Acrylic) available from Century International and H2091, H2114-01, and 801-375 available from Findley Adhesives, Inc. Suitable hot melt thermoplastic adhesives are also disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,572, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The release sheets may be constructed of any materials known in the release sheet art and having any suitable release sheet characteristics. The release sheets are preferably made of, for instance, a suitable paper or polymer based substrate, or other materials commonly employed for making release sheets. Of course, other materials may be used to implement the advantages of the invention. Preferably, the release sheets have at least one side coated with a suitable release agent, such as a silicone or silicone rubber, for releasably receiving the adhesive coated side of the note. 
     The kit of the present invention includes a strip for dispensing adhesive notes in a roll form. The kit also includes a dispenser which is adapted for holding the strip such that the strip rotates about a roll form axis. The dispenser presents, for removal by pulling, an adhesive note together with at least one release sheet. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a kit for dispensing adhesive notes is illustrated by the numeral  10 . The kit  10  includes a strip  12 , which includes notes  14  releasibly adhered to adjacent release sheets  16 . The strip  12  is shown in the form of a roll  18  (shown in phantom), which is disposed within dispenser  20  and rotates about roll form axis  17  which is transverse to the longitudinal plane of the roll  18 . Dispenser  20  is shown as a rectangular box, however, it is contemplated by the present invention that any size and shape of dispenser  20  which effectively allows the removal of strip  12  may be suitably employed. Dispenser  20  has a passageway  22  which allows for the withdrawal of additional lengths of strip  12  from the roll  18  within dispenser  20 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged portion of the unrolled end of strip  12 . The strip  12  includes a note web  24 , which is made up of individual notes  14   a  and  14   b . The note web  24  is releasably adhered to release sheet web  26 , which includes a series of consecutive individual release sheets  16   a  and  16   b . Each release sheet  16   a  defines a border  29  between release sheets  16   a - 16   b  and adjacent a juncture  28  between adjacent notes  14   a - 14   b . The juncture  28  and the border  29  may comprise gaps, perforations, or transverse score lines. By lifting along the border  29 , an individual note  14   a  combined with release sheet  16   a  may be removed from the strip  12  at the border  29 . The border  29  may be laterally offset from the juncture  28  so that when lifting the release sheet  16   a  along the border  29 , a portion  33  of the release sheet  16   b  remaining adhered to the strip  12  protrudes beyond the note  14   b  to which release sheet  16   b  is adhered. Transverse score lines in juncture  28  may be cut across note web  24  to create the individual notes  14   a  and  14   b . It is understood that the present invention contemplates scoring, perforating, creating lines of weakness or any other method of subdividing or sectioning the strip to create resultant individual notes and release sheets. Additionally, pre-cut notes and release sheets could also be adhered together. Similarly, transverse score lines  30  (shown partially in phantom) may preferably be cut across release sheet web  26  to create the individual release sheets  16   a  and  16   b . The transverse score lines  28  of note web  24  are laterally offset relative to transverse score lines  30  of release sheet web  26 . The result is that each individual note  14   a  and  14   b  is laterally offset from each release sheet  16   a  and  16   b , such that each note is disposed in alternate staggered relationship relative to one another. This arrangement is consistent throughout the entirety of the strip  12 . 
     During use, an individual note  14   a , for example, is preferably removed from the strip  12  with its corresponding release sheet  16   a  to expose face  32  of the next release sheet  16   b . The same procedure is utilized for successive note removal. Because the note  14   a  is removed with a corresponding release sheet  16   a , a substantial portion of the adhesive in the strip  12  is unexposed prior to removal from the release sheet. It will be readily recognizable that note  14   a  along with corresponding release sheet  16   a  may be removed beginning at edge  34  to obtain the same result. One goal is to remove note  14   a  with its corresponding release sheet  16   b  such that a release sheet strip is not created at the point of dispensing. Release sheet  16   a  may be removed from note  14   a  and discarded as appropriate. The successive note  14   b  is then available for use to be removed in a similar manner. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the front side of an enlarged portion of the strip  12 . The note web  24  is preferably divided among transverse score lines  28  such that each individual note  14   a ,  14   b  and  14   c  are of the same size and shape. 
     Similarly, in FIG. 4 which illustrates the backside of an enlarged portion of the strip  12 , the release sheet web is divided along transverse score lines  30  such that release sheets  16   a ,  16   b  and  16   c  have the same size and shape as notes  14   a ,  14   b  and  14   c.    
     FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the indicated portion of FIG.  1 . Note web  24  generally and notes  14   a  and  14   b  specifically, are adhered to release sheet web  26  and release sheet  16   b  with adhesive  36 . Note web  24 , release sheet web  26  and adhesive  36  are specifically chosen such that adhesive  36  has a stronger adhesive bond to note web  24 , and therefore notes  14   a  and  14   b , than to release sheet web  26  which includes release sheets  16   a  and  16   b . Release sheet web  26  may be continuous, such as where the note web  24  is divided by transverse score line  28  to separate notes  14   a  and  14   b.    
     As illustrated in FIG. 6, adhesive  36  adheres note  14   a  to release sheets  16   a  and  16   b  in a similar manner. Note web  24  may preferably be continuous, such as where release sheet web  26  is divided by transverse score line  30  into release sheets  16   a  and  16   b.    
     Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Located on each note  114   a ,  114   b  and  114   c  may reside an insignia  113  or other identifying indicia. Insignia  113  may be decorative or may be used to identify to the user of the adhesive strip  112  the location of the transverse score lines  128  between successive notes  114   a - 114   c . Additionally, transverse score lines  128  may include notches  115  to control the placement of the insignia by a printer (not shown). It is contemplated by the present invention that notches  115  may be used on opposing edge  134  along the transverse score line  128  in combination with or independent of the notches  115  along edge  136 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates another alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the strip  212  includes notes  214   a ,  214   b  and  214   c  that are separated by transverse score lines  228  such that the score lines  228  are laterally offset from the transverse score lines  230  of the release sheets (hidden). In this embodiment, the lateral offset is equal to approximately half the size of the size of the notes  214   a - 214   c  but it is contemplated by the present invention to incorporate any amount of lateral offset between transverse score lines  228  and transverse score lines  230 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9B, additional embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. Strip  312  includes a series of notes  314  releasably adhered to  316  by adhesive  36 . In this embodiment, the release sheet  316  does not have any transverse score lines, such that release sheet  316   a  extends the length of the strip  312  which may be removed with note  314  by tearing along edge  317 , which may be a line of weakness along the release sheet  316 . 
     Strip  412  similarly has each note  414  removably adhered to release sheet web  426 , which is divided into individual release sheets  416   a  and  416   b  by a perforation for  417  such that release sheet  416   a  may be removed with note  414 , thereby leaving release sheet  416   b  to be removed with the next consecutive note to be removed. Although only a single note and release sheet combination is shown, it is understood that such combination is part of a longer strip containing at least three of such pairs of notes and release sheets. 
     A method of making a strip for dispensing adhesive notes is also contemplated by the present invention. The method includes adhering a continuous note sheet row having a pressure sensitive adhesive to a continuous release sheet row, sectioning the continuous note sheet row into a plurality of notes, and sectioning the continuous release sheet row into a plurality of release sheets laterally offset from the notes. The sectioning step may include cutting. scoring, or creating lines of weakness on the continuous note sheet row and the continuous release sheet row. The sectioning of the continuous note sheet row and the continuous release sheet row may occur simultaneously. 
     Adhesives that may be used as the adhesive sheet adhesive in the present invention are illustrated by the examples which follow. These examples are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 
     TEST METHODS 
     Test for Conformability 
     A sample of the rectangular adhesive sheet measuring 0.5 inch by 1.5 inch (1.3 cm by 3.8 cm) is applied to a clean, polished half-inch diameter stainless steel cylinder such that the short side is oriented along the axis of the cylinder and the long side is oriented along the circumference of the cylinder, known as “flagging”. The cylinder is then exposed to a temperature of 77°±5° F. (25°±3° C.) and a relative humidity not greater than 80% for a period of 10 hours. 
     Conformability failure is indicated by opening up of the flags, i.e., visible edge separation, at the conclusion of the 10 hour test. It is a pass/fail test. 
     Test for Cohesive Strength 
     Cohesive strength may be determined indirectly by measuring the shear strength of the adhesive according to ASTM D3654-88, also known as PSTC-7, and recording whether adhesive is left on both the adhesive sheet and the panel to which it was adhered after failure. In this case, PSTC-7 has been modified to use 1×0.5 inch (2.5 by 1.3 cm) samples. A sample of the rectangular adhesive sheet measuring 1×0.5 inch (2.5 by 1.3 cm) is applied to a vertical stainless steel panel with a 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) overlap joint. A mass of 1000 g is suspended from the sample and the time until failure is measured in an environment having a temperature of 73° F. (23° C.) and a relative humidity of 50 percent. A determination is then made whether adhesive is left on both the tape and the panel by visual inspection. If there is, the test shows cohesive failure. 
     If there is no adhesive left on the panel, the test indicates adhesive failure to the panel, i.e., the cohesive strength is greater than the shear strength of the bond to the panel, and the adhesive passes the test for cohesive strength. 
     If there is some or no adhesive left on the adhesive sheet and it has been transferred to the panel, the test does not provide information about the cohesive strength of the adhesive, but rather shows failure of the adhesive to form a sufficient adhesive bond to the backing material of the adhesive sheet. This indicates the need for either another adhesive, another backing material, or the need to pre-treat the surface of the backing material to be coated with adhesive such that it forms a stronger bond with the adhesive, such as with a sizing agent. 
     EXAMPLES 
     The following are examples of formulations of adhesives which are useful for making the adhesive sheet assemblies according to the present invention. These formulations may be coated or transferred onto any of the films, sheets or cloths described above as useful for making the adhesive sheets. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE I 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 COMPOSITION OF FORMULATIONS A, B AND C IN 
               
               
                 WEIGHT-PERCENT 
               
             
          
           
               
                 INGREDIENT 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Heveacrumb ™ SMR-5LX Lamco 1   
                 3.86 
                 — 
                 10.18  
               
               
                 Synpol ™ Type 1011A 2   
                 11.58  
                 17.02  
                 — 
               
               
                 Vistanex MM-L-80 3   
                 — 
                 — 
                 2.60 
               
               
                 Foral ™ 105 4   
                 18.52  
                 15.32  
                 — 
               
               
                 Piccolyte S-115 5   
                 — 
                 — 
                 14.73  
               
               
                 Herolyn D 6   
                 — 
                 — 
                 3.12 
               
               
                 Indopol H-100 7   
                 — 
                 — 
                 3.12 
               
               
                 Santovar ™ A 8   
                 0.15 
                 0.09 
                 — 
               
               
                 Agarite ™ Resin D 9   
                 0.08 
                 0.09 
                 — 
               
               
                 Wingstay ™ L Powder 10   
                 — 
                 — 
                 0.14 
               
               
                 ASARCO ™ ZO-77T 11   
                 7.72 
                 8.51 
                 0.64 
               
               
                 Methyl Zimate 12   
                 0.62 
                 0.68 
                 0.50 
               
               
                 Sulfads ™ Powder 13   
                 0.04 
                 0.04 
                 — 
               
               
                 Tween ™ 20 14   
                 — 
                 — 
                 0.12 
               
               
                 K-1717B 15   
                 — 
                 — 
                 1.22 
               
               
                 Solvent 
                 balance 
                 balance 
                 balance 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   1 Natural rubber elastomer available from Herron &amp; Meyer  
               
               
                   2 Styrene butadiene copolymer elastomer available from American Synpol Corp.  
               
               
                   3 Polyisobutylene elastomer available from Exxon Chemical  
               
               
                   4 Rosin ester tackifier available from Hercules, Inc.  
               
               
                   5 Polyterpener resin tackifier available from Hercules, Inc.  
               
               
                   6 Hydrogenated methyl ester of rosin tackifier available from Hercules, Inc.  
               
               
                   7 Polybutene tackifier available from Amoco Chemical Corp.  
               
               
                   8 2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone antioxidant available from Flexsys America L.P.  
               
               
                   9 Antioxidant available from R.T. Vanderbilt Co.  
               
               
                   10 Antioxidant available from Goodyear Tire &amp; Rubber Co.  
               
               
                   11 Zinc oxide curing agent available from Jenson-Souders Assocs., Inc.  
               
               
                   12 Zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate accelerator available from R.T. Vanderbilt Co.  
               
               
                   13 Dipentamethylene thiuram hexasulfide accelerator available from R.T. Vanderbilt Co.  
               
               
                   14 Polysorbate 20 surfactant available from ICI Specialties Mfg.  
               
               
                   15 Polyketone resin plasticizer available from Lawter Chemical, Inc.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Formulation D 
     An acrylic-based adhesive formulation D is prepared by combining 99.72 wt % Duro-Tak™ 80-1047 (an acrylic resin available from National Starch and Chemical Co.) with 0.17 wt % Uformite-27-803 (a melamine resin curing agent available from Reichhold Chemical Coating Div.) in an appropriate solvent (balance). 
     Formulation E 
     Another acrylic-based adhesive formulation is prepared by diluting Aroset™ 1044-Z-40 (an acrylic resin adhesive available from Ashland Chemical, Inc.) with an appropriate solvent so that the resin comprises 39-41 wt % of the formulation. 
     Formulation F 
     Yet another acrylic-based adhesive formulation F is prepared by diluting Aroset™ 1085-Z-38 (an acrylic resin adhesive also available from Ashland Chemical) with an appropriate solvent so that the resin comprises 36.5-38.5 wt % of the formulation. 
     Although the invention has been described in considerable detail through the preceding specific embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are for purpose of illustration only. Many variations and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.