U.S. patent application number 16/967543 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-25 for multilayer, restorable protective furniture pads.
The applicant listed for this patent is 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY. Invention is credited to Debora F. Barron, Christina D. Cowman-Eggert, Landon B. Davis, Tatiane Dias Marques Faria, Kristine K. Krumhus, Kyle E. Kulseth, Angela L. Pan, Aaron P. White.
Application Number | 20210085080 16/967543 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005290645 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-25 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210085080 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kulseth; Kyle E. ; et
al. |
March 25, 2021 |
MULTILAYER, RESTORABLE PROTECTIVE FURNITURE PADS
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to improved furniture pads that
provide an opportunity to repair the connection between the pad and
a furniture surface, the integrity of the pad, or both. In some
instances, this can be accomplished by providing a pad comprising
multiple pad bodies, each of which can has a protective surface.
The pad bodies can be stacked or removed depending on the
relationship between the furniture and the floor. In other
instances, multiple adhesive layers are arranged on the top surface
of a protective pad body, allowing for an adhesive bond to be
refreshed and restored if the pad fails.
Inventors: |
Kulseth; Kyle E.; (St. Paul,
MN) ; Davis; Landon B.; (Woodbury, MN) ; Dias
Marques Faria; Tatiane; (Lake Elmo, MN) ; Barron;
Debora F.; (Hudson, WI) ; Pan; Angela L.;
(Arden Hills, MN) ; Krumhus; Kristine K.; (River
Falls, WI) ; Cowman-Eggert; Christina D.; (Inver
Grove Heights, MN) ; White; Aaron P.; (Menomonie,
WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY |
St. Paul |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005290645 |
Appl. No.: |
16/967543 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
February 5, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2019/050915 |
371 Date: |
August 5, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62626442 |
Feb 5, 2018 |
|
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62626519 |
Feb 5, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 91/12 20130101;
A47B 2091/063 20130101; A47B 91/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 91/06 20060101
A47B091/06; A47B 91/12 20060101 A47B091/12 |
Claims
1. A furniture pad comprising: a first pad body comprising a first
protective element; a second pad body comprising a second
protective element; and a third pad body comprising a third
protective element, wherein the first and second pad bodies are
coupled by a first detachable interface, and wherein the second and
third pad bodies are coupled by a second detachable interface.
2. A furniture pad comprising: a first pad body comprising a first
protective element having a first major surface and second major
surface; a plurality of adhesive layers arranged in a vertical
stack above the first major surface.
3. The furniture pad of claim 2, wherein each adhesive layer of the
plurality of adhesive layers is separated from an adjacent adhesive
layer by a release liner.
4. (canceled)
5. A furniture pad kit comprising a first pad body and a plurality
of adhesive elements, each adhesive element including an adhesive
layer and release liner.
6. A furniture pad according to claim 1, wherein the first
detachable interface comprises a layer of hook material attached to
a top major surface of the first protective element.
7. A furniture pad according to claim 6, wherein the first
detachable interface includes a layer of loop material bonded to a
bottom major surface of the second pad body.
8. A furniture pad according to claim 6, wherein the hook material
interlocks with the second protective element.
9. A furniture pad according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
the first and second protective elements includes polyethylene
terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or
polytetrafluoroethylene.
10. A furniture pad according to claim 2, wherein each layer of the
plurality of adhesive layers has the same thickness.
11. A furniture pad according to claim 2, wherein at least one
adhesive layer of the plurality of adhesive layers has a different
thickness from at least one other adhesive layer of the plurality
of adhesive layers.
12. A furniture pad according to claim 2, wherein at least one
adhesive layer of the plurality of adhesive layers is a
discontinuous adhesive layer.
13. A furniture pad according to claim 3, wherein each release
liner includes a tab.
14. A furniture pad according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of
adhesive layers consists of two adhesive layers.
15. The furniture pad according to claim 2, and further comprising
a second pad body comprising a second protective element, and
wherein the first and second pad bodies are coupled by a first
detachable interface disposed on a surface of the first protective
element opposite the plurality of adhesive layers.
16. The furniture pad according to claim 15, wherein the first
detachable interface comprises a layer of hook material attached to
the first protective element.
17. A furniture pad according to claim 16, wherein the first
detachable interface includes a layer of loop material bonded to a
bottom major surface of the second pad body.
18. A furniture pad according to claim 16, wherein the hook
material interlocks with the second protective element.
Description
SUMMARY
[0001] Protecting a floor from markings caused by contacting
furniture has traditionally been accomplished with felt or plastic
pads. While generally satisfactory for their purpose, each has been
associated with its share of problems. One problem associated with
felt pads is the coupling to a piece of furniture with either
adhesive or otherwise tacky surfaces. Such felt pads may easily
peel from the furniture as the furniture is repeatedly slid across
a floor or may permanently bond to leg after compression, causing
user frustration.
[0002] Furthermore, the adhesives typically used are not
repositionable, meaning that the pad cannot be repeatedly reapplied
to the leg should shift or other displacement occur.
[0003] Another problem often encountered with felt pads is that the
soft material may not offer sufficient resistance to shear. The
material itself can demonstrate a tendency to break down by layers
or otherwise deform, especially when moving heavy furniture over
uneven floors. This is a cause for premature wear of the pad.
[0004] Another problem associated with plastic pads, such as nylon
or similar solid plastic material is its application to furniture
with a screw, nail or other metal fastener that must be driven into
the furniture, thus damaging the furniture. This problem is
compounded when changing the pad is desired. In such instance, the
fastener must again be driven into the same portion of the
furniture, thus further degrading the integrity of the furniture
and perhaps creating splinters and stripping wood finish. Another
limitation of current, hard plastic floor protectors is their
propensity to strip finish from hard floors or otherwise mark the
hard floor surface with which they contact.
[0005] The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that the
existing furniture pads could be improved or enhanced by providing
an opportunity to repair the connection between the pad and
furniture surface, the integrity of the pad, or both. In some
instances, this can be accomplished by providing a pad comprising
multiple pad bodies, each of which can has a protective surface.
The pad bodies can be stacked or removed depending on the
relationship between the furniture and the floor. In other
instances, enhancing existing pads calls for multiple adhesive
layers to be arranged on the top surface of a protective pad body,
allowing for an adhesive bond to be refreshed and restored if the
pad fails.
[0006] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a furniture
pad comprising a first pad body comprising a first protective
element; a second pad body comprising a second protective element;
and a third pad body comprising a third protective element, wherein
the first and second pad bodies are coupled by a first detachable
interface, and wherein the second and third pad bodies are coupled
by a second detachable interface.
[0007] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a
furniture pad comprising a first pad body comprising a first
protective element having a first major surface and second major
surface; and a plurality of adhesive layers arranged in a vertical
stack above the first major surface. In some embodiments, each
adhesive layer of the plurality of adhesive layers is separated
from an adjacent adhesive layer by a release liner.
[0008] As used herein, "layer" means a single stratum that may be
continuous or discontinuous over a surface.
[0009] As used herein, the terms, "height", "depth", "top" and
"bottom" are for illustrative purposes only, and do not necessarily
define the orientation or the relationship between the surface and
the intrusive feature. Accordingly, the terms "height" and "depth",
as well as "top" and "bottom" should be considered
interchangeable.
[0010] The terms "comprises" and variations thereof do not have a
limiting meaning where these terms appear in the description and
claims.
[0011] The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments
of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain
circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred,
under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation
of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other
embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other
embodiments from the scope of the invention.
[0012] As recited herein, all numbers should be considered modified
by the term "about".
[0013] As used herein, "a", "an", "the", "at least one", and "one
or more" are used interchangeably. Thus, for example, a core
comprising "a" pattern of recesses can be interpreted as a core
comprising "one or more" patterns.
[0014] Also herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by
endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1
to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).
[0015] As used herein as a modifier to a property or attribute, the
term "generally", unless otherwise specifically defined, means that
the property or attribute would be readily recognizable by a person
of ordinary skill but without requiring absolute precision or a
perfect match (e.g., within +/-20% for quantifiable properties).
The term "substantially", unless otherwise specifically defined,
means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within +/-10% for
quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute
precision or a perfect match. Terms such as same, equal, uniform,
constant, strictly, and the like, are understood to be within the
usual tolerances or measuring error applicable to the particular
circumstance rather than requiring absolute precision or a perfect
match.
[0016] The above summary of the present disclosure is not intended
to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of
the present invention. The description that follows more
particularly exemplifies illustrative embodiments. In several
places throughout the application, guidance is provided through
lists of examples, which examples can be used in various
combinations. In each instance, the recited list serves only as a
representative group and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive
list.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side plan view of one embodiment of an exemplary
furniture pad of the type generally described herein;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the adhesive article of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a depiction of the furniture pad of FIGS. 1-2 as
applied and adjusted;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
exemplary furniture pad; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the adhesive article of
FIG. 4.
[0022] Layers in certain depicted embodiments are for illustrative
purposes only and are not intended to absolutely define the
thickness, relative or otherwise, or the absolute location of any
component. While the above-identified figures set forth several
embodiments of the disclosure other embodiments are also
contemplated, as noted in the description. In all cases, this
disclosure is presented by way of representation and not
limitation. It should be understood that numerous other
modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in
the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles
of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Various embodiments and implementations will be described in
detail. These embodiments should not be construed as limiting the
scope of the present application in any manner, and changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the inventions. Further, only some end uses have been
discussed herein, but end uses not specifically described herein
are included within the scope of the present application. As such,
the scope of the present application should be determined by the
claims.
[0024] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an exemplary embodiment of a furniture
pad 100 as generally described herein. The furniture pad 100
includes an attachment surface 102 on the top major surface and a
protective surface 104 on the bottom major surface. The furniture
pad 100 includes a first pad body 110, a second pad body 120, and a
third pad body 130. The individual pad bodies 110, 120, 130 are
releasably coupled to one another, creating a stack of elements
that define the furniture pad 100.
[0025] As seen in FIG. 1, the pad 100 has a generally circular or
disc shape, with each distinct pad body 110, 120, 130 including the
same three-dimensional shape. The shape of the pad 100 is not
particularly limited, however, and can include any suitable shape
or combination of shapes. In some embodiments, for instance, the
pad 100 can be rectangular (which includes a square). In other
embodiments, one of the pad bodies 110, 120, 130 may be
rectangular, while one or both of the remaining bodies may be
circular. Other combinations of shapes are contemplated for use
amongst different categories of furniture. The base of the
protective pad may be straight or have curved edges to reduce drag
or wear on certain floor substrates.
[0026] Though pad 100 as depicted includes three distinct pad
bodies 110, 120, 130, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the furniture pads of the present disclosure can include more or
fewer pad bodies as desired. For instance, it may be possible to
realize at least some of the certain benefits of the disclosure
with two pad bodies. In presently preferred implementations,
however, the furniture pad includes three or more pad bodies.
[0027] Each pad body includes a protective element adapted to
prevent wear on flooring and/or space a leg from the ground. The
protective element is designed to lie between a furniture leg and
the floor to prevent scratching or wear on the floor as the
furniture leg rests or moves along the floor surface (See, e.g.,
FIG. 3 below). The protective element 112 of pad body 110 includes
a top surface 114 arranged in proximity to pad body 120 and a
bottom surface 116 adapted to engage or be positioned adjacent the
floor.
[0028] The protective element typically includes felt, woven or
knitted fabric or cloth, scratch-resistant material such as
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polypropylene or polyethylene, or
other resilient materials such as rubber, nonwovens, and foam. The
felt, cloth, and nonwovens may be made using any size fibers or
fibers made from any material known in the art. Fibers used in felt
or nonwovens may be derived from biological sources such as linen
or wool. Felt or nonwovens may be made using synthetic fibers
including but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or other polyesters. Felt or
nonwovens made from biological sources may also be used either
alone or in combination with other fibers made from synthetic
materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), nylon, or other polyester fibers. The fibers
may or may not be reinforced using additives such as microspheres
or polymer resin or reinforced using thermal treatments.
[0029] Single layer combinations of the above materials such as
nonwovens or fabric reinforced with polymer resins are also
anticipated. The protective element 112 may be a single continuous
layer of material, or may include multiple materials arranged in
one or more layers. For example, a protective element may include a
scrim or shock absorbing element, as described in European Patent
No. EP1529464.
[0030] In the specific embodiment of FIGS. 1 & 2, the first
protective element includes a single layer of material having a
thickness "T", though multilayer or multi-material constructions
are also contemplated as described above. In some embodiments, the
element has a thickness "T" of between about 2 mils and about 1000
mils. In some embodiments, the protective element has a thickness
of greater than 35 mils. In some embodiments, the core has a
thickness of greater than 110 mils. The protective elements of any
given set of pad bodies may have the same thickness. Alternatively,
one of the protective elements may thicker than the others, with
the third pad body (or other body nearest the top of the stack)
including a thicker protective element than either the first or
second bodies. Such a construction can allow for reduced changes in
the height of the pad as bodies are removed during the pad's useful
life.
[0031] The bottom surface 116 of the first pad body 110 (i.e.,
protective surface 104 of the pad 100) may be coated with a layer
of a low friction material 170, such as polyethylene,
polypropylene, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),
polyoxymethylene and mixtures thereof. One or both of the second
and third pad bodies 120, 130, may also be coated with a layer of a
low friction material 170.
[0032] The pad bodies can be connected to each other at detachable
interfaces, with the first pad body coupled to the second pad body
120 at a first detachable interface 150 and the second pad body
connected to the third pad body at a second detachable interface
160.
[0033] The detachable interfaces 150, 160 can include any known or
developed reusable or non-reusable connector for connecting the pad
bodies. The detachable interface permits the separation and
connection of the given pad bodies along a general plane. In some
embodiments, the detachable interface can include, for example, a
mechanical type fastener including an interlocking system, an
intermeshing system having connection without macroscopic
mechanical deformation or interference, a releasable contact
responsive fastener, a splittable construction, and the like. In
other embodiments, the interface includes one or more layers of an
adhesive, gel, or gel adhesive bound by covalent bonding, ionic
bonding, hydrogen bonding, and/or van der Waals forces.
[0034] In some embodiments, one or both detachable interfaces 150,
160 include an adhesive. In some embodiments, the detachable
interface includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive. A general
description of useful pressure sensitive adhesives may be found in
the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Vol. 13,
Wiley-Interscience Publishers (New York, 1988). Additional
description of useful pressure-sensitive adhesives may be found in
the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, Vol. 1,
Interscience Publishers (New York, 1964). Pressure sensitive
adhesive compositions are well known to those of ordinary skill in
the art to possess properties including the following: (1) tack,
(2) adherence with no more than finger pressure, (3) sufficient
ability to hold onto an adherend, and (4) sufficient cohesive
strength to be cleanly removable from the adherend. Materials that
have been found to function well as pressure sensitive adhesives
are polymers designed and formulated to exhibit the requisite
viscoelastic properties resulting in a desired balance of tack,
peel adhesion, and shear holding power. Suitable PSAs may be based
on crosslinked or non-crosslinked (meth)acrylics, rubbers,
thermoplastic elastomers, silicones, polyurethanes, and the like,
and may include tackifiers in order to provide the desired tack, as
well as other additives. In some embodiments, the PSA is based on a
(meth)acrylic PSA or at least one poly(meth)acrylate, where
(meth)acrylate refers to both acrylate and methacrylate groups. In
some embodiments, the PSA is an olefin block copolymer based
adhesive. In some embodiments, the PSA is an adhesive based on
styrenic block copolymers or copolymers of styrene and
hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated, or non-hydrogenated dienes
such as butadiene or isoprene. Acrylic based pressure sensitive
adhesives are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,982 (Traynor et al.)
and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,256 (Barrera), for example. Silicone
based pressure sensitive adhesives are described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,730,397 (Melancon et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,706 (Tangney),
for example. Polyurethane based pressure sensitive adhesives are
described in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2005/0137375 (Hansen et al.),
for example. Olefin block copolymer based pressure sensitive
adhesives are described in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2014/0335299
(Wang et al.), for example.
[0035] Generally, any known additives useful in the formulation of
adhesives may also be included in an adhesive based detachable
interface. Additives include plasticizers, anti-aging agents,
ultraviolet stabilizers, colorants, thermal stabilizers,
anti-infective agents, fillers, crosslinkers, as well as mixtures
and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the adhesive can
be reinforced with fibers or a fiber scrim which may include
inorganic and/or organic fibers. Suitable fiber scrims may include
woven-, non-woven or knit webs or scrims. For example, the fibers
in the scrim may include wire, ceramic fiber, glass fiber (for
example, fiberglass), and organic fibers (for example, natural
and/or synthetic organic fibers).
[0036] A detachable interface may include a plurality of adhesive
layers. For example, the interface may include a relatively stiff
rubber based adhesive as an inner layer, with a softer acrylic
based PSA disposed between the inner layer and the adjacent pad
body or bodies. As another example, the interface may include a
relatively soft acrylic based adhesive as an inner layer, with a
relatively stiffer rubber based adhesive disposed between the inner
layer and the adjacent pad body. The characteristics of the
adhesive in the detachable interface may be selected or modified to
achieve the desired properties In certain embodiments where the
detachable interfaces 150, 160 include an adhesive, the material
for a given protective element can be selected so that it forms a
relative weak bond with adhesive, allowing for reasonably easy
separation.
[0037] Alternatively, any one protective element may include a
release material to reduce or minimize the bond strength at the
detachable interface. Suitable release materials include, but are
not limited to, low surface energy materials such as silicones,
epoxy silicones cured by photo-acid generated crosslinking,
fluorosilicones, silicone acrylates, perfluoropolyether and other
fluorochemical materials, olefin materials, long-chain
hydrocarbon-functional materials, and copolymers and mixtures
thereof. The release materials may be coated on a backing including
but not limited to paper or polymeric films.
[0038] In some embodiments, the detachable interface 150 can
include a layer of hook material which is bonded with or otherwise
attached to the first protective element 110 at the top major
surface thereof. The hook material may interlock with the
protective element 122 of the second body 120 or a layer of loop
material which is bonded to a bottom major surface thereof. It is
contemplated that any commercially available hook and loop
connector system, including those available from 3M Company, can be
utilized. Hook and loop connector systems are but one type of
mechanical interlocking connector systems which are suggested by
this embodiment. By mechanical interlocking, it is meant those
fasteners where at least one of the connector elements undergoes
some macroscopic deformation (preferably plastic deformation) so
that a mechanical interference results between plural components.
Many different modifications of the inter-engaging elements are
designed based on the requisite force and manner of separation
between the cooperating layers of such a separable connector
system. Some exemplary separable connectors are described in, for
example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,572,945; 7,781,056; 6,403,206; and
6,972,141, all of which are incorporated by reference in their
entirety herein.
[0039] In another embodiment, a detachable interface can include a
backing having opposing major surfaces, with each major surface
including a layer of hook material. Each layer of hook material is
adapted to interlock with either a corresponding loop material or a
protective element. Suitable backing materials include plastic and
elastomeric materials, and mixtures or blend thereof.
[0040] Under certain circumstances, the separable connector can be
reconstituted for reuse even after separation. For example, a
detachable interface 150, 160 can be realigned and pressure applied
across a major surface to cause another mechanical interlocking. As
another example, a separable connector featuring one or more layers
of adhesive and/or gel can allow for one or more of the bonds
(e.g., ionic, Van der Waals) to reform.
[0041] A presently preferred detachable interface can provide
sufficient strength along the general plane of its separation so
that, depending on the specific application, the detachable
interface will not fail based on the use or movement of the
furniture pad 100. The interface can provide an internal static
shear strength in a direction parallel to the general plane for
supporting the object during movement and providing a level of
resiliency to the pad 100.
[0042] Attachment of the pad 100 to the furniture can be achieved
with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive 180 on the top surface
of the protective element of the third pad body 130. Alternatively,
the pad may be attached by traditional mechanical fasteners (e.g.,
a screw or a nail), single part or two-part epoxies or liquid
adhesives, or intermeshing elements, such as the hook and loop
connections used for detachable interfaces 150, 160.
[0043] The furniture pads 100 described herein may be attached or
adhered, for example, to one or more legs of an article of
furniture or may be attached to a table base or pedestal. When the
furniture glide(s) are attached to a table base or pedestal,
multiple furniture glides may be used. In addition, as known to
those skilled in the art, the table base or pedestal may comprise
multiple legs or prongs that each may have one or more furniture
pads attached thereto.
[0044] FIG. 3 depicts the removal of a pad body 110 from a
furniture pad 100 coupled to a furniture leg 200. As depicted, a
furniture pad 100 is attached to the leg 200, with the protective
surface 104 available to engage the floor. As the protective
surface 104 is worn or dirtied, the first pad body 110 can be
separated at detachable interface 150. Once the first pad body is
removed, the second pad body provides a new protective surface 126
for the furniture leg 200.
[0045] The furniture pad 100 may be provided preassembled or as a
modular kit of pad bodies, allowing the user to select the precise
number pad bodies needed for a given object. The kit may include
any number of pad bodies of the same or different thicknesses. In
some embodiments, the detachable interface elements can also be
provided separate from the individual protective elements,
requiring the user to assemble the pad bodies prior to stacking.
The modular kit can also allow a user to replace a worn or sullied
pad body with a new version or replace a failing interface. In some
embodiments, the pad bodies may include a plurality of separable or
separated pad segments, as described in co-filed provisional patent
application with the Attorney Docket Number 80512US002, entitled
RESIZABLE FURNITURE PAD and incorporated by reference in its
entirety herein.
[0046] FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of a restorable furniture
pad 400 according to the present disclosure. Like pad 100 of FIGS.
1-2, the pad 400 includes a protective element 412 defining a
protective surface 404 and an outer attachment surface 402 at the
top of the pad. Instead of one or more additional pad bodies, the
pad 400 includes a plurality of stacked adhesive connectors
arranged above the top, second major surface of the protective
element 412. Though pad 400 includes three distinct adhesive
connectors in the stack, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the furniture pads of the present disclosure can include more
or fewer layers of adhesive as desired. For instance, it may be
possible to realize at least some of the certain benefits of the
disclosure with two separable adhesive layers. In presently
preferred implementations, however, the furniture pad includes
three or more separable adhesive layers. In some embodiments, the
pad 400 may include a plurality of separable or separated pad
segments, as described in co-filed provisional patent application
with the Attorney Docket Number 80512US002, entitled RESIZABLE
FURNITURE PAD and incorporated by reference in its entirety
herein.
[0047] In one exemplary embodiment, each separable adhesive
connector includes an adhesive layer 432, 442, 452 and a release
liner 434, 444, 454. The release liner protects the adhesive layer
during manufacturing, transit, and use. When one desires to use or
refresh the pad, one can peel or remove the release liner to expose
the next detachable adhesive connector in the stack, as seen in
FIG. 5. The pad can then be cleaned, reinforced, and/or reapplied
to the desired location.
[0048] The adhesive layers 432, 442, 452 may have the same
thickness, or a different thickness depending on desired
orientation of the layer. Adhesive layers can be the same as one
another or disparate from one another. Disparate, in this context,
is used to describe substantial differences in composition or
adhesive performance. Adhesive layers can each be a single layer or
can be multilayer. Adhesive layers can each be continuous or
discontinuous (e.g., patterned) across the major surfaces of the
protective element or release liner. Suitable adhesives include any
of those listed above.
[0049] Examples of suitable liners include paper, e.g., kraft
paper, or polymeric films, e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene or
polyester. At least one surface of the liner can be treated with a
release agent such as silicone, a fluorochemical, or other low
surface energy based release material to provide a release liner.
Suitable release liners and methods for treating liners are
described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,472,480, 4,980,443 and
4,736,048, and incorporated herein. The release liners can be
printed with lines, brand indicia, or other information.
[0050] The liners may also include a tab (not shown) extending
beyond the periphery of the protective element 410 and an adhesive
layer. The tab can facilitate removal of an adhesive layer from the
pad 400 when the adhesive connection between and furniture begins
to deteriorate. The worn adhesive connector can more easily be
separated by grasping the tab and pulling the liner away from the
pad 400, removing an adhesive layer from the stack.
[0051] Thus, it can be seen that the furniture pads described
herein can compensate for the unevenness of floors and other
surfaces and allow articles of furniture to be moved and
self-leveled.
[0052] In addition, it is also contemplated that furniture pads
described herein can be applied to other legged objects, including
appliances (washers, dryers, etc.) that also require leveling.
[0053] Additionally, the furniture pads may easily accommodate
furniture with unequal length legs. In such an instance, due to
manufacturing inconsistencies, sloping or uneven floors, or other
occurrences, the various legs of a table, chair, bottom of a
bookcase, etc. may not rest in a level fashion upon a floor
surface. By using the furniture pads of the present disclosure
exemplified herein, particularly those of FIGS. 1-3, such unlevel
sitting pieces of furniture may be made to sit level, and unequal
length legs may be "made equal" to provide a piece of furniture
that does not rock or shake when used. This solution to wobbling
furniture and unequal length legs provides a quick, easy and
attractive solution to such unstable pieces of furniture. An added
advantage is that the pad bodies used to make a piece of furniture
not wobble will stay in place as the furniture is even just
slightly moved or moved from room to room. The pads may be made in
a variety of thicknesses and stacked to solve a variety of unlevel
furniture situations yet provide a way to easily slide furniture
without scratching flooring surfaces.
[0054] The furniture pads of the present disclosure may be
manufactured according to any available technique, including those
described in US Publication Nos. 2005/0003723 (Brouard et al.) and
US2016/0157608 (Gergonne et al.).
[0055] The recitation of all numerical ranges by endpoint is meant
to include all numbers subsumed within the range (i.e., the range 1
to 10 includes, for example, 1, 1.5, 3.33, and 10).
[0056] The patents, patent documents, and patent applications cited
herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each
were individually incorporated by reference. It will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and
modifications may be made without deviating from the inventing
concepts set from above. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure
should not be limited to the structures described herein. Those
having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may be
made to the details of the above-described embodiments and
implementations without departing from the underlying principles
thereof. Further, various modifications and alterations of the
present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The
scope of the present application should, therefore, be determined
only by the following claims and equivalents thereof
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