Flexible Hook Hanger With Multiple Peel Fronts for Damage-Free Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional adhesive-backed hangers face a challenge in balancing strong adhesion with peelability, as existing designs often damage surfaces when removed due to uneven adhesive distribution and lack of flexibility.

Innovation Solution

The development of a flexible hanger design with multiple peel fronts and a microstructured tape backing, combined with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, allows for improved adhesion under load while enabling easy removal without surface damage, using a central zone connected to two adhesion zones with varying widths and peel arrestors to distribute stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional adhesive-backed hangers use strong adhesive to support objects, then adhesion strength is improved, but peelability deteriorates causing surface damage during removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The backing material is divided into multiple zones (first zone, second zone, and central zone) with different widths and adhesive properties. The first and second zones have greater width and contain peel arrestors to prevent adhesive pull-out, while the central zone has reduced width for hook attachment. This segmentation allows the hanger to maintain strong overall adhesion while enabling controlled removal without surface damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the backing material are given different properties: the first and second zones have larger width and include peel arrestors for strong adhesion and controlled peeling, while the central zone has reduced width for hook functionality. The adhesive layer is applied selectively across these zones with varying characteristics to achieve both strong holding power and damage-free removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If adhesive is applied uniformly across the entire backing material, then adhesion coverage is improved, but peelability deteriorates due to uneven stress distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive coverage areaVSAvoidpeelability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer is applied across segmented zones rather than uniformly. The first zone and second zone have adhesive application with greater width, while the central zone has reduced width. This segmentation creates multiple peel fronts that distribute stress evenly during removal, preventing adhesive pull-out and enabling clean peeling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The width parameter of the backing material and adhesive layer is varied across different zones. The first and second zones have larger width parameters providing strong adhesion, while the central zone has a reduced width parameter for hook functionality. This parameter variation optimizes both adhesion coverage and peelability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the backing material is made rigid to maintain adhesion under load, then adhesion stability is improved, but flexibility deteriorates reducing ability to conform to surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion stabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The backing material is designed as a flexible structure that can conform to various surface geometries while maintaining adhesion stability. The segmented zone design with varying widths provides structural integrity under load while allowing the material to bend and adapt to different mounting surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The flexible hanger design effectively maintains adhesion across various orientations and load directions, reducing peel force and preventing surface damage during removal, making it suitable for diverse surface applications.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive having one or more hydrocarbon block copolymers, and a polar phenolic tackifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensitive adhesive: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 2

The pliable backing comprises microstructured tape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10959547B2Folding flap hanger device having multiple peel fronts

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A flexible hook hanger comprises an elongate sheet of pliable backing, an adhesive layer and a hook element. The backing comprises first and second ends, a first zone positioned adjacent the first end, a second zone positioned adjacent the second end and a central zone positioned between the first and second zones. The adhesive layer is disposed on one side of the backing. The hook element is connected to the central zone. In one embodiment, the pliable backing comprises microstructured tape, and the adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising one or more hydrocarbon block copolymers, and a polar phenolic tackifier. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second zones includes a peel arrestor. For example, the first zone and the second zone have a first width and a second width, respectively, and the central zone has a third width that is less than at least one of the first width and the second width.