Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for masking a planar surface and providing information at the point of use of an assembly including the planar surface are disclosed. In one advantageous method in accordance with the present invention, a masking material comprising a substrate and an adhesive disposed over a first face of the substrate is provided. One or more strips of masking material are applied to a planar surface, and an information bearing sheet is applied over the one or more strips of masking material. In some embodiments, the protective covering comprises a free portion and a fixed portion. The free portion of the protective covering defining a first side of a channel and the face of the pane defining a second side of the channel.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/940,970 by Trpkovski filed Aug. 28, 2001.  
         [0002]    This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/076,211 by Trpkovski filed Feb. 12, 2002.  
         [0003]    The entire disclosure of the above mentioned patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to protective masking material that can be applied to insulating glass units, monolithic panes, and other workpieces. More particularly, the present invention relates to advantageous configurations of masking material which may be easily removed from a workpiece.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In most industrialized countries, windows touch people&#39;s lives everyday. Wherever people work and live there are windows. Windows allow the occupants of a building to view the outside world while allowing sun light to enter the interior of the building. Sunlight is a natural antidepressant and helps the human body produce vitamin D. Thus, a certain amount of sunshine is essential to mental and physical well being.  
           [0006]    In extreme climates significant energy may be lost through windows during the winter when a building is being heated, and/or during the summer when a building is being cooled. With the rising cost of energy, efforts have been made to provide homes and other buildings with insulation that will more efficiently prevent the transfer of heat between the inside and the outside of a building. Insulating glass units have been developed to reduce the amount of heat transfer through windows.  
           [0007]    There are basically three types of insulating glass units commercially available today. These three types are often referred to as single glazing, double glazing, and triple glazing. Double glazed insulating glass units are the most common. These insulating glass units include a space sealed between two panes of glass. This sealed space provides insulation, the insulating effect may be enhanced by filling the space with an insulative gas such as argon, or krypton. Compared with a single pane, a double glazed insulating glass unit can cut heat loss through a window nearly in half.  
           [0008]    Because of the dramatic energy savings which can be achieved with insulating glass units, building codes in many jurisdictions have been revised to require the installation of insulating glass units. The relative energy performance of these insulating glass units is clearly an important factor to be considered when windows are purchased by a consumer. The federal government of the United States of America has developed an Energy Star designation which may be used to identify windows which meet certain energy performance criteria. In another attempt to help consumers make informed decisions regarding window purchases, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has recently instituted new labeling requirements for windows. The NFRC requirements include both a permanent marking and a temporary label. The NFRC label includes ratings for U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Visible Transmittance (VT), and air leakage (AL). These ratings must be provided for both residential and non-residential applications. All of these ratings typically vary from one window to the next. The labeling of windows may also include additional information such as a model number, the window style, the window dimensions, and a date code. This information also typically varies from one window to the next. The labeling requirements described above present a challenge to window manufacturers since a great deal of information is required, and since this information frequently varies from one window to the next.  
           [0009]    Human beings have a relatively narrow temperature range in which they are comfortable. Unfortunately, infrared (IR) energy from the sun entering a room through a window can quickly raise the temperature to an uncomfortable level. Many windows include low emissivity coatings that have been developed to prevent heat spikes within a room by reflecting a large portion of incident infra red energy. Recently, self cleaning coatings have also been developed for use on window glass. These coatings may eliminate the need to clean the glass of an insulating glass unit.  
           [0010]    Because the glass of an insulating glass unit typically includes special coatings, temporary labels that are applied to the glass are typically manufactured using special paper and special inks so that the coatings on the glass will not be damaged. The coatings on an insulating glass unit may also be damaged during transportation to a building site, or during the building process. The building process typically involves the efforts of a variety of crafts people such as carpenters, masons, and painters. During the building process the coatings on an insulating glass unit can be scratched or covered with paint.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention relates generally to protective masking material that can be applied to insulating glass units, monolithic panes, and other workpieces. More particularly, the present invention relates to advantageous configurations of masking material which may be easily removed from a workpiece. An assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a pane having a face and a protective covering overlaying the face of the pane.  
           [0012]    In some implantations, the protective covering includes a free portion which overlays the face of the pane and is easily lifted away from the face of the pane. In some advantageous implementations of the present invention, the free portion of the protective covering is dimensioned so as to be easily pinched between the thumb and index finger of a human hand.  
           [0013]    Some implementations of the present invention include a pull tab comprising a portion of a strip which extends beyond an outer perimeter of the protective covering. In some cases, the pull tab extends between the outer perimeter of the protective covering and an inner border of a frame. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an additional perspective view of the strip shown in the previous figure.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is perspective view of a first strip having an adherent portion and a non-adherent portion.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembly including the insulating glass unit of the previous figure.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an assembly including the protective covering shown in the previous figure.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an assembly in accordance with an additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an assembly in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first strip having an adherent portion and a non-adherent portion.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembly including the first strip shown in the previous figure.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly including an insulating glass unit.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an assembly including the protective covering shown in the previous figure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered identically. The drawings depict selected, exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, for example, the thickness of some elements may be exaggerated for the purposes of illustration. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for selected elements. All other elements employ that which is known to those of skill in the field of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that can be utilized.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The assembly of FIG. 1 comprises a pane  100  and a strip  102 . In the embodiment of FIG. 1, an adherent portion  104  of strip  102  is fixed to a face  106  of pane  100  by an adhesive  108 . A first channel  120  and a second channel  122  are defined by non-adherent portions  124  of strip  102  and face  106  of pane  100 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is an additional perspective view of strip  102  shown in the previous figure. In FIG. 2 it may be appreciated that strip  102  comprises a substrate  126  having a major surface  180 . In FIG. 2, adhesive  108  is shown disposed on major surface  180 , so that major surface  180  of substrate  126  includes an adhesive covered portion  128  and a plurality of non-adhesive portions  130 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is perspective view of a first strip  302 A having an adherent portion  304  and a non-adherent portion  324 . First strip  302 A includes a substrate  326  having a major surface  380 . In the embodiment of FIG. 3, adherent portion  304  of first strip  302 A comprises an adhesive  308 A which is shown overlaying an adhesive covered portion  328  of major surface  380  of substrate  326 . Also in the embodiment of FIG. 3, non-adherent portion  324  comprises a non-adhesive portion  330  of substrate  326 .  
         [0030]    It is to be appreciated that substrate  326  of first strip  302 A may comprise various materials without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Examples of materials which may be suitable in some applications include cellulostic materials (e.g., paper), metal foil, and polymeric film. Examples of polymeric materials which may be suitable in some applications include: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester (e.g., PET), polyamide, and polyimide.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The assembly of FIG. 4 comprises an insulating glass unit  332  including a first pane  300 A. A first strip  302 A is disposed on a face  306  of first pane  300 A in FIG. 4. First strip  302 A includes an adherent portion  304  and a non-adherent portion  324 . In the embodiment of FIG. 4, adherent portion  304  of first strip  302 A is fixed to face  306  of first pane  300 A by an adhesive  308 A.  
         [0032]    In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a channel  320  is defined by first strip  302 A and first pane  300 A. More particularly, channel  320  has a first side  334  defined by face  306  of pane  300 A and a second side  336  defined by non-adherent portion  324  of first strip  302 . Channel  320  also includes a third side  338  defined by adhesive  308 A. In FIG. 4, adhesive  308 A can be seen extending between adherent portion  304  of first strip  302 A and face  306  of pane  300 A.  
         [0033]    It should be appreciated that FIG. 4 is not necessarily drawn to scale. In a preferred embodiment, for example, adhesive  308 A is generally thinner than substrate  326  of first strip  302  A. In FIG. 4, channel  320  is shown having a thickness that is similar to a thickness of adhesive  308 A. In some embodiments, channel  320  may be generally thinner than adhesive  308 A. For example, non-adherent portion  324  of first strip  302 A contacts face  306  of pane  300 A in some embodiments.  
         [0034]    Insulating glass unit  332  of FIG. 4 includes a first pane  300 A, a second pane  300 AB and a spacer  340  interposed between first pane  300 A and second pane  300 AB. First pane  300 A, second pane  300 AB, and spacer  340  preferably define a interpane space. In some embodiments, an insulative gas (e.g., argon, krypton, and/or others) may be disposed within the interpane space. Embodiments are also possible in which the interpane space contains air or vacuum. Insulating glass unit  332  may be generally referred to as a double glazed insulating glass unit. Other embodiments of insulating glass unit  332  are possible without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, insulating glass unit  332  may be a single glazed insulating glass unit, or a triple glazed insulating glass unit.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembly including the insulating glass unit  332  of the previous figure. In FIG. 5, a protective covering  342  is shown overlaying face  306  of first pane  300 A. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, protective covering  342  comprises a plurality of strips  302  disposed in an overlapping arrangement.  
         [0036]    In FIG. 5, it may be appreciated that protective covering  342  comprises a fixed portion  344  and a free portion  346 . In FIG. 5 free portion  346  of protective covering  342  is shown overlaying a channel  320 . In some advantageous embodiments of the present invention, free portion  346  of protective covering  342  is dimensioned to be pinched between the thumb and index finger of a human hand. In some cases, for example, free portion  346  of protective covering  342  has a width that is similar to the thickness of a human finger.  
         [0037]    In the embodiment of FIG. 5, free portion  346  of protective covering  342  comprises a non-adherent portion  324  of a first strip  302 A and a portion of a second strip  302 B which is fixed to first strip  302 A by a second adhesive  308 B. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 5, fixed portion  344  of protective covering  342  comprises an adherent portion  304  of first strip  302 A that is fixed to first pane  300 A by a first adhesive  308 A. Additionally, fixed portion  344  of protective covering  342  comprises a portion of second strip  302 B which is fixed to first pane  300 A by second adhesive  308 B.  
         [0038]    In FIG. 5 it may be appreciated that protective covering  342  also includes a third strip  302 C which partially overlaps second strip  302 B and a fourth strip  302 D which partially overlaps third strip  302 C. It is to be appreciated that protective covering  342  may comprise any number of strips without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, third strip  302 C comprises a substrate that is preferably fixed to first pane  300 A and second strip  302 B by a third adhesive  308 C. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 5, fourth strip  302 D comprises a substrate that is preferably fixed to first pane  300 A and third strip  302 C by a fourth adhesive  308 D.  
         [0039]    It is to be appreciated that the substrates of second strip  302 B, third strip  302 C and fourth strip  302 D may comprise various materials without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Examples of materials which may be suitable in some applications include cellulostic materials (e.g., paper), metal foil, and polymeric film. Examples of polymeric materials which may be suitable in some applications include: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester (e.g., PET), polyamide, and polyimide.  
         [0040]    In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a channel  320  is defined by first strip  302 A and face  306  of first pane  300 A. More particularly, channel  320  has a first side  334  defined by face  306  of first pane  300 A and a second side  336  defined by non-adherent portion  324  of first strip  302 . Channel  320  also includes a third side  338  defined by adhesive  308 A. In FIG. 5, adhesive  308 A can be seen extending between adherent portion  304  of first strip  302 A and face  306  of first pane  300 A.  
         [0041]    In the embodiment of FIG. 5, face  306  of first pane  300 A includes an unmasked apron  348  extending between an outer perimeter  350  of protective covering  342  and an outer extent  352  of first pane  300 A. In some advantageous embodiments of the present invention, unmasked apron  348  is dimensioned to mate with a frame. Also in some advantageous embodiments of the present invention, outer perimeter  350  of protective covering  342  is dimensioned so as to be disposed within an inner boundary of a frame.  
         [0042]    In the embodiment of FIG. 5, channel  320  includes a first opening  354  and a second opening  356 . In FIG. 5, these openings can be seen extending between free portion  346  of protective covering  342  and face  306  of first pane  300 A. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, first opening  354  and second opening  356  are both disposed directly adjacent to unmasked apron  348  of first pane  300 A. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 5, first opening  354  is substantially aligned with a first edge  382  of outer perimeter  350  of protective covering  342 . In FIG. 5 it may also be appreciated that second opening  356  is substantially aligned with a second edge  358  of outer perimeter  350  of protective covering  342 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an assembly including protective covering  342  shown in the previous figure. In FIG. 6, a portion of protective covering  342  is shown disposed between the thumb and index finger of a human hand. In a preferred embodiment, free portion  346  of protective covering  342  is adapted to be easily lifted away from face  306  of first pane  300  A.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an assembly in accordance with an additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The assembly of FIG. 7 includes a first pane  500 A and a protective covering  542  overlaying a face  506  of first pane  500 A. The assembly of FIG. 7 also includes a pull tab  560 . In the embodiment Of FIG. 7, pull tab  560  comprises a portion of a first strip  502 A which extends beyond an outer perimeter  550  of protective covering  542 . In the embodiment of FIG. 5, an adherent portion  504  of first strip  502  is fixed to face  506  of first pane  500 A by an adhesive  508 .  
         [0045]    A first channel  520  and a second channel  522  are defined by non-adherent portions  524  of first strip  502 A and face  506  of first pane  500 A. First channel  520  communicates with a first opening  554  and a second opening  556 . In the embodiment of FIG. 5, first opening  554  is substantially aligned with a first edge  582  of outer perimeter  550  of protective covering  542 . Also in the embodiment of FIG. 5, second opening  556  is substantially aligned with an outer extent  552  of first pane  500 A.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an assembly in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The assembly of FIG. 8 includes an insulating glass unit  532  comprising a first pane  500 A. In FIG. 8, a protective covering  542  is shown overlaying a face  506  of first pane  500 A. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, face  506  of first pane  500 A includes an unmasked apron  548  extending between an outer perimeter  550  of protective covering  542  and an outer extent  552  of first pane  500 A.  
         [0047]    The assembly of FIG. 8 also includes a frame  562  which is fixed to unmasked apron  548 . In the embodiment of FIG. 8, a portion of frame  562  is cut away for purposes of illustration. In many embodiments, frame  562  completely surrounds an outer extent of insulating glass unit  532 .  
         [0048]    In FIG. 8 a pull tab  560  can be seen extending between an outer perimeter  550  of protective covering  542  and an inner boundary  566  of frame  562 . In the embodiment of FIG. 7, pull tab  560  comprises a portion of a first strip  502  which extends beyond outer perimeter  550  of protective covering  542 . In the embodiment of FIG. 8, outer perimeter  550  of protective covering  542  is dimensioned so as to be disposed within inner boundary  566  of frame  562 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first strip  702 A having an adherent portion  704  and a non-adherent portion  724 . In FIG. 9 it may be appreciated that first strip  702  comprises a substrate  726  having a major surface  780 . In FIG. 9, a first adhesive  708 A is shown overlaying major surface  780  of substrate  726 . In the embodiment of FIG. 9, non-adherent portion  724  of first strip  702 A comprises a portion of adhesive  708 A which is covered by a liner  768 . Also in the embodiment of FIG. 9, adherent portion  704  of first strip  702  comprises a portion of adhesive  708 A which is not covered by a liner  768 . It is to be appreciated that liner  768  may comprise various materials without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Examples of materials which may be suitable in some applications include cellulostic materials (e.g., paper), metal foil, and polymeric film. Examples of polymeric materials which may be suitable in some applications include: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester (e.g., PET), polyamide, and polyimide.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembly including first strip  702 A shown in the previous figure. In FIG. 10, a protective covering  742  is shown overlaying a face  706  of a first pane  700 A. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, protective covering  742  has a free portion  746  and a fixed portion  744 . In the embodiment of FIG. 10, free portion  746  of protective covering  742  comprises non-adherent portion  724  of first strip  702 A. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 10, fixed portion  744  of protective covering  742  comprises adherent portion  704  of first strip  702 A.  
         [0051]    Liner  768  is visible in FIG. 10. In some advantageous embodiments of the present invention, free portion  746  of protective covering  742  is dimensioned to be pinched between the thumb and index finger of a human hand. In some cases, for example, liner  768  has a width that is similar to the thickness of a human finger.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly including an insulating glass unit  932 . In FIG. 11, a protective covering  942  is shown overlaying a face  906  of a first pane  900 A of insulating glass unit  932 . In the embodiment of FIG. 11, protective covering  942  comprises a plurality of strips  902  disposed in an overlapping arrangement.  
         [0053]    In the embodiment of FIG. 11, protective covering  942  comprises a second strip  902 B which is adhered to face  906  of pane  900  by a second adhesive  908 B and a first strip  902 A. An adherent portion  904  of first strip  902 A is fixed to second strip  902 B by an adhesive  908 . In FIG. 11 it may be appreciated that first strip  902 A and second strip  902 B define a channel  920 . More particularly, a non-adherent portion  924  of first strip  902 A defines a first side  934  of channel  920  and a back surface  984  of second strip  902 B defines a second side  936  of channel  920 .  
         [0054]    Insulating glass unit  932  of FIG. 11 includes a first pane  900 A, a second pane  900 B and a spacer  940  interposed between first pane  900 A and second pane  900 B. First pane  900 A and second pane  900 B may comprise various materials without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Examples of materials which may be suitable in some applications include glass, metal, and plastics.  
         [0055]    A free portion  946  of protective covering  942  overlays channel  920 . In some advantageous embodiments of the present invention, free portion  946  of protective covering  942  is dimensioned to be pinched between the thumb and index finger of a human hand. In some cases, for example, free portion  946  of protective covering  942  has a width that is similar to the thickness of a human finger.  
         [0056]    Also in the embodiment of FIG. 11, a first opening  954  communicating with channel  920  is offset from a first edge  982  of an outer perimeter  950  of protective covering  942  by a finite distance. In some advantageous embodiments, this distance is similar to the width of a human hand. In these advantageous embodiments, the offset may provide easy access to first opening  954  by a users hand. For the purposes of this disclosure, the width of a human hand may be defined as the distance extending from the outer side of the index finger to the outer side of the pinky finger.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an assembly including protective covering  942  shown in the previous figure. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, an information bearing sheet  970  is disposed over protective covering  942 . In the embodiment of FIG. 12, information bearing sheet  970  comprises a sheetstock  972  and a fifth adhesive  908 E overlaying a surface of sheetstock  972 .  
         [0058]    In the embodiment of FIG. 12, a channel  920  is defined by first strip  902 A and second strip  902 B. More particularly, a non-adherent portion  924  of first strip  902 A defines a first side  934  of channel  920  and a back surface  984  of second strip  902 B defines a second side  936  of channel  920 . In the embodiment of FIG. 12, an indicia  974  is disposed on a the surface of sheetstock  972  of information bearing sheet  970  in a location which overlays channel  920 . In this arrangement, a users attention is likely to be drawn to indicia  974  when the user grasps free portion  946  of protective covering  942 .  
         [0059]    Several forms of invention have been shown and described, and other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in art. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. The invention&#39;s scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.