Method of unitizing packages by means of a stretchable adhesive tape

• US 5,496,599 A
• Filed: 04/11/1994
• Issued: 03/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Schwartz, Mark E., Kreckel, Karl W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Jenna L.
• Application Number:
  US08/225,604
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 428/343, 428/355, 428/356, 428/354, 428/352, 428/40, 428/35.7
• US Class Current: 428/35.7
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/773 Zero point correction
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/766 the setting or resetting of moulding conditions, e.g. before starting a cycle
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/77 of velocity or pressure of moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 13/02 Applying and securing binding material around articles or groups of articles, e.g. using strings, wires, strips, bands or tapes
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 17/02 Joining articles, e.g. cans, directly to each other for convenience of storage, transport, or handling
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 63/1009 Adhesive tapes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/813 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1028 by bending, drawing or stretch forming sheet to assume shape of configured lamina while in contact therewith
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/103 Encasing or enveloping the configured lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/28 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2852 Adhesive compositions

Abstract

Means for unitizing objects, e.g., packages, through the use of a stretchable, detackifiable, pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. In the preferred embodiment, the tape comprises a highly extensible, substantially non-recoverable backing bearing on at least one major surface thereof a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. This tape has the dual capability of (1) being capable of being firmly bonded to a substrate and (2) being detackified after being stretched.

Claims

1. A package combined with a length of tape, said tape comprising a stretchable, detackifiable pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having a backing having a Young'"'"'s modulus of at least about 2,500 psi but less than about 100,000 psi, a lengthwise elongation at break of at least about 150% and low recovery of less than about 50% after being stretched, said backing having a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon, said tape having a first portion thereof in a substantially unstretched condition and adhered to said package and a second portion thereof stretched to at least 200% of its original length and wrapped about said package, whereby the tack of said second portion of said tape is detackified by at least about 10%.

2. The tape of claim 1, wherein said second portion of said tape is detackified by at least about 25%.

3. The tape of claim 1, wherein said second portion of said tape is detackified by at least about 50%.

4. The tape of claim 1, wherein said second portion of said tape is stretched to at least 600% of its original length.

5. A plurality of objects that are arranged next to one another and which are banded together by a length of tape, said tape comprising a stretchable, detackifiable pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having a backing having a Young'"'"'s modulus of at least about 2,500 psi but less than about 100,000 psi, a lengthwise elongation at break of at least about 150% and low recovery of less than about 50% after being stretched, said backing having a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon, said tape having a first portion thereof in a substantially unstretched condition and adhered to one of said objects and a second portion thereof stretched to at least 200% of its original length and wrapped about at least another one of said objects, whereby the tack of said second portion of said tape is detackified by at least about 10%.