Stretch releasing adhesive tape with segmented release liner

• US 6,641,910 B1
• Filed: 08/24/1999
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Bries, James L., Johansson, Ronald C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zirker, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, VICTOR S
• Application Number:
  US09/382,177
• Time in Patent Office: 1,533 Days
• Field of Search: 428/354, 428/40.1, 428/343, 428/58, 428/56, 428/906, 428/192, 428/121, 428/124, 428/126, 248/304, 248/205.3
• US Class Current: 428/343
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2301/124 the adhesive layer being present on both sides of the carrier, e.g. double-sided adhesive tape
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2301/308 the adhesive tape or sheet losing adhesive strength when being stretched, e.g. stretch adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/20 characterised by their carriers
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/403 characterised by the structure of the release feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/906 Roll or coil
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/14 Layer or component removable to expose adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/187 Continuous sectional layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/192 Sheets or webs coplanar
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2419 Fold at edge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24215 Acute or reverse fold of exterior component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24231 At opposed marginal edges
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24777 Edge feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/28 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer

Abstract

A stretch releasing adhesive tape article includes an elongate length of stretch releasing adhesive tape and a segmented liner arranged on the adhesive that can be used to form a manually engageable pull tab at a selected location on a discrete strip of tape cut from the length of tape. Each segment of the liner can be individually removed from the tape. The segmented liner allows the adhesive tape to be made in any length and wound upon itself to form a roll, and allows a user to cut a strip having a selected length depending on the end use application for the strip, and further allows the user to form a manually engageable non-adhesive pull tab at any location on the strip which can be grasped and pulled by a user to stretch remove the tape from a substrate.

Claims

1. A stretch releasing adhesive tape article comprising:

(a) an elongate length of stretch releasing tape having first and second oppositely facing major surfaces, at least said first surface being adhesive; and

(b) a first liner arranged on said first adhesive surface, said liner including at least one frangible connection dividing said liner into segments that can be separated from adjacent segments and individually removed from said first adhesive surface, thereby to expose a selected portion of said first adhesive surface, whereby at least one segment remains adhered to said first adhesive surface to serve as a pull tab which can be grasped by a user during stretch removal of the tape from a substrate.

2. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 1, wherein the length of tape is wound upon itself to form a roll, whereby said second adhesive surface is arranged adjacent said liner.

3. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 2, wherein said frangible connection is a formed by perforations in said liner.

4. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said first and second surfaces is adhesive, and further comprising a second perforated liner arranged on said second adhesive surface opposite said first perforated liner, wherein the perforations of said first and second liners are generally aligned.

5. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 4, wherein each said release liner is stretchable.

6. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 5, wherein each said release liner is silicon coated paper.

7. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 6, wherein said pull tab is formed adjacent an end of the discrete strip of tape.

8. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said tape first and second surfaces is adhesive.

9. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 8, wherein said frangible connection is defined by a transverse slit cut at least partially through said liner.

10. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 9, wherein said liner has a width approximately twice the width of said tape, thereby to allow said first liner to be folded onto said second surface opposite said first adhesive surface, and thereby form said pull tab.

11. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 10, wherein said liner includes a first surface having a longitudinally extending lower adhesion surface portion normally in contact with said tape first adhesive surface, and a higher adhesion surface portion normally extending outwardly from said lower adhesion surface portion beyond said tape first adhesive surface, said higher adhesion surface portion being foldable into contact with said tape second surface to form said manually engageable pull tab, wherein said higher adhesion surface portion is capable of forming a stronger adhesive bond with said tape than said lower adhesion surface portion.

12. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 11, wherein said liner includes a textured second surface opposite said first surface to aid a user in gripping said pull tab during stretch removal.

13. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 12, wherein said liner includes wing portions and a longitudinally extending continuous connecting portion connecting said wing portions, said connecting portion being easily broken between adjacent wing portions so that a selected portion of said liner can be removed to expose an associated adhesive surface.

14. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 13, wherein said longitudinally extending continuous connecting portion defines a side edge of said liner.

15. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 13, wherein said longitudinally extending continuous connecting portion defines a center portion of said liner, and said liner contains a pair of aligned transversely spaced slits extending inwardly from opposite side edges of said liner toward said longitudinally extending continuous connecting portion, thereby defining wing portions extending outwardly in opposite directions from said continuous connecting portion.

16. A stretch releasing adhesive tape article comprising:

(a) an elongate length of stretch releasing tape having first and second oppositely facing major surfaces, at least said first surface being adhesive; and

(b) a liner arranged on said first adhesive surface, said liner having registered perforations defining individual liner segments, whereby a selected segment of said release liner can be removed from said first adhesive surface, thereby to expose a selected portion of said first adhesive surface, and further whereby at least one segment remains adhered to said first adhesive surface to serve as a pull tab which can be grasped by a user during stretch removal of the tape from a substrate.

17. A stretch releasing adhesive tape article comprising:

(b) a length of stretch releasing tape having first and second oppositely facing major surfaces, at least said first surface being adhesive; and

(b) a liner arranged on said first adhesive surface, said liner including frangible connection means for allowing a user to remove a selected portion of said liner from said first adhesive surface while further allowing a selected portion of said liner to remain on said first adhesive surface, thereby to form a manually engageable pull tab for use during stretch removal of the tape from a substrate.

18. A stretch releasing adhesive tape article comprising:

(a) an elongate length of stretch releasing tape having first and second oppositely facing major surfaces, at least said first surface being adhesive; and

(b) a plurality of liners arranged on said first adhesive surface, each said liner being selectively removable from said first adhesive surface to expose a selected portion of said first adhesive surface, whereby at least one liner can remain adhered to said first adhesive surface to serve as a pull tab which can be grasped by a user during stretch removal of the tape from a substrate.

19. An adhesive tape article as defined in claim 18, wherein said liners are connected with frangible connections, whereby a series of connected liners can be removed from said first adhesive surface in one step.

20. A double sided stretch releasing adhesive tape article comprising:

(a) an elongate length of stretch releasing tape having first and second oppositely facing adhesive major surfaces;

(b) a first liner arranged on said first adhesive surface, said liner including at least one frangible connection dividing said liner into segments that can be separated from each other and individually removed from said first adhesive surface, thereby to expose a selected portion of said first adhesive surface; and

(c) a second liner arranged on said second adhesive surface, said liner including at least one frangible connection dividing said liner into segments aligned with said first liner segments that can be separated from adjacent segments and individually removed from said first adhesive surface, thereby to expose a selected portion of said first adhesive surface;

wherein at least one segment can remain adhered to each of said first and second adhesive surfaces to form a non-adhesive pull tab that can be grasped by a user during stretch removal of the tape from a substrate.

21. A method of forming a non-adhesive pull tab at a selected location on a discrete strip cut from a length of tape of stretch releasing adhesive tape, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an elongate length of stretch releasing tape having first and second oppositely facing major surfaces, at least said first surface being adhesive;

(b) providing a first liner arranged on said first adhesive surface, said liner including at least one frangible connection dividing said liner into segments that can be separated from adjacent segments; and

(c) removing selected segments from said first adhesive surface, thereby to expose a selected portion of said first adhesive surface, wherein at least one segment remains adhered to said first adhesive surface to serve as a pull tab that can be grasped by a user during stretch removal of the tape from a substrate.