The present invention relates generally to pasting and connection fitting devices, and in particular, to methods and adhesive tapes that firmly attach substrates and are easily removed through a two-way stretch without damaging the substrate(s).
Double sided-stretch releasing adhesive tapes are commonly used to attach different substrates to one another. These stretch releasing tapes have adhesive materials on both sides thereof, and stretch once attached to the substrates for easy removal. In use, a first side of the double sided-stretch releasing adhesive tape adheres to a first substrate, while the second side adheres to a second substrate to assemble, join, attach or mount the substrates to each other. While double sided-stretch releasing adhesive tapes are known to attach a variety of different substrates to one another, a common use of these tapes is for removably securing a wall mount to a wallboard.
Once a stretch releasing adhesive tape secures different substrates to each other, the joined or attached substrates may then be separated from one another by stretching the stretch releasing adhesive tape. In order to stretch the tape, this stretch releasing adhesive tape also includes a single non-adhesive pull-tab at one end thereof. In use, after the stretch tape is applied between different substrates, the pull-tab extends out and beyond at least one of the substrates for easy pull and removal of the tape and at least one of the substrates.
For instance, referring to
However, in the process of removing the double sided-stretch releasing adhesive tape, end users often pull and lift the pull-tab 10 at too much of an angle with respect to the surface to which the tape is attached, or exert too much force on the tab 10. As a result the pull-tab 10 breaks as shown in
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide methods and stretch releasing adhesive tapes that lend to easy gripping and handling thereof, as well as efficient and clean removal of such tape from a substrate surface.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods and stretch releasing adhesive tapes that avoid breakage during use and removal thereof.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to an elongated stretch releasing adhesive tape article removable from a substrate by stretching. The tape article includes an extensible tensile sheet having a first side and a second side, with a first adhesive on the first side and a second adhesive on the second side thereof. A first pull tab is connected to a first longitudinal end of the extensible tensile sheet, while a second pull tab is connected to a second opposing longitudinal end thereof. A plurality of anti-slip grip regions reside on both the first pull tab and the second pull tab. The plurality of anti-slip grip regions enable a secure gripping hold by an end user of both the first and second pull tabs, during simultaneous pulling thereof, to generate a two-way stretching force in a lengthwise direction. This force is exerted on and stretches the extensible tensile sheet as well as distorts at least one of the first or second adhesives for removal of the elongated stretch releasing adhesive tape from a substrate.
In another embodiment, the invention is also directed to methods of removably bonding a stretch releasing adhesive tape from a substrate. A double pull tab stretch releasing adhesive tape is provided that includes an extensible tensile sheet having a first adhesive on a first side and a second adhesive on a second side, the extensible tensile sheet having a longitudinal length with first and second distal ends, and a first pull tab connected to the first longitudinal end and a second pull tab connected to the second longitudinal end. Both first and second pull tabs have a plurality of anti-slip grip regions. A first substrate is attached to a second substrate using the double pull tab stretch releasing adhesive tape by bonding the first adhesive to the first substrate and bonding the second adhesive to the second substrate. The first substrate is then detached from the second substrate by an end user gripping both the first pull tab and the second pull tab followed by simultaneously pulling the first and second pull tabs in opposing directions to generate a two-way stretching force along the longitudinal length. This force is exerted on and stretches the extensible tensile sheet to distort at least the first adhesive for removal of the double pull tab stretch releasing adhesive tape from at least the first substrate without the end user touching the first or second substrates.
The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to
Referring to the drawings,
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, the tensile sheet 120 may comprise one or more layers of any known highly extensible sheet material. The extensible material of the elastic tensile sheet 120 is capable of extending or stretching in a direction relative to forces being exerted on the sheet during simultaneous pulling of the double pull tabs 110, 115. As such, the extensible tensile sheet 120 material preferably has a high tensile strength, a lengthwise elongation capability of stretching up to 4-times the original length of such sheet 120, and substantial inelasticity recovery after being stretched (e.g., less than about 50% elastic recovery after being stretched).
While not meant to limit the invention, in one or more embodiments exemplary materials of the extendable tensile sheet 120 may include, but are not limited to, a synthetic rubber (e.g., SIS (styrene isoprene styrene) which is a thermoplastic elastomer including phenyl ethylene, methyl and butadiene), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, clear ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polymeric films, polyolefins (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylenes), vinyl copolymers (e.g. polyvinyl chlorides and polyvinyl acetates), olefinic copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, as well as mixtures, blends (e.g., polypropylene/polyethylene, polyurethane/polyolefin, polyurethane/polycarbonate, polyurethane/polyester), and combinations of any of the foregoing. Other suitable elastomeric tensile sheet 120 materials include, for example, styrene-butadiene copolymer, polychloroprene (i.e., neoprene), nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, polysulfide rubber, cis-1,4-polyisoprene, ethylene-propylene terpolymers (e.g., EPDM rubber), silicone rubber, silicone polyurea block copolymers, polyurethane rubber, polyisobutylene, natural rubber, acrylate rubber, thermoplastic rubbers, e.g., styrene-butadiene block copolymers and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers, and thermoplastic polyolefin rubber materials.
It should be appreciated that the tensile sheet 120 may be composed of a single layer having its characteristic properties residing throughout the length and thickness thereof. Alternatively, the tensile sheet 120 may be composed of a number of different layers, each having the same or different physical characteristics. Attached to opposing lateral sides 102, 103 of the tensile sheet 120 are the first and second adhesives 140, 130. Prior to use of the present double pull tab stretch releasing adhesive tape 100, each of the first adhesive 140 layer and second adhesive 130 layer may optionally be covered by a liner layer (not shown) to protect the exterior surface of such adhesives 140, 130. Any known liner layer may be used that is suitable to protect the adhesiveness of such layer 140, 130 prior to use thereof. For instance, the liner layers may be a coating such as film, paper, powder, foam, ink, release liner, or other material on the adhesive 140, 130 surfaces to render such surfaces non-adhesive for the protection thereof. The double pull tab stretch releasing adhesive tapes 100 of the invention preferably have a thickness sufficient to enable handling, use and removal (stretching) thereof. In one or more embodiments, the double pull tab stretch releasing adhesive tapes 100, including the tensile sheet 120 adhesive 140, 130 layers, have a thickness ranging from about 5 mils to about 10 mils.
In accordance with the various embodiments of the invention, each adhesive 140, 130 layer is composed of a stretch releasing pressure sensitive adhesive material. This material preferably is capable of forming bonds with a variety of different substrates, maintains adhesion to such substrates under various environmental conditions (e.g., high humidity, low humidity, high temperatures, low temperatures, etc.), is highly extensible (i.e., extendable and/or stretchable), and is easily removable from the substrate(s) after bonded thereto without damaging the substrate. The pressure sensitive adhesive material is preferably cleanly removable (i.e., does not leave a visible residue) from a variety of substrate surfaces including, for example, glass, ceramic, painted wallboard, finished wood (e.g., stained and varnished), tile, brick, etc.
While not meant to limit the invention, in one or more embodiments exemplary materials of the adhesive 140, 130 layers may include, but are not limited to, a synthetic rubber glue, silicone-based pressure sensitive adhesive compositions (e.g., resins and silicone polymer blends), tackified rubber adhesives (e.g., natural rubber, olefins, silicones, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyurethanes, styrene-isoprene-styrene and styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, elastomers), tackified or untackified acrylic adhesives (e.g., copolymers of isooctylacrylate and acrylic acid), as well as mixtures (e.g., additives added thereto, such as pigments, fillers, etc.), blends, and combinations of any of the foregoing. In one or more embodiments the adhesives 140, 130 may be a synthetic rubber glue (i.e., SIS (styrene isoprene styrene)) glue having resins including E-5400, SR-100P and Tamanol 803, with remaining constituents of solvents and chemical additives.
Referring again to
In fabricating the extensible tensile sheet 120 and pull tabs 110, 115, such components may be fabricated together at the same, or the pull tabs 110, 115 may be permanently affixed to the tensile sheet 120 after fabrication thereof. As such, the pull tabs 110, 115 may also be composed of a non-adhesive extensible material that is capable of extending or stretching in a direction relative to forces being exerted during simultaneous pulling of such double pull tabs 110, 115. In these embodiments, the extensible pull tab material may have a high tensile strength, a lengthwise elongation capability of stretching, and substantial inelasticity recovery after being stretched. Further in these embodiments the tensile sheet 120 and the pull tabs 110, 115 may be fabricated together and comprise a same material, or the pull tabs may be later attached to the tensile sheet 120 whereby the pull tabs and tensile sheet comprise a same or different materials. In alternate embodiments, the non-adhesive pull tabs 110, 115 may be composed of a substantially non-stretchable material and are attached to the extensible tensile sheet 120 at opposite ends thereof after fabrication.
Referring to
As shown in
While not meant to limit the invention, the double pull tab stretch releasing adhesive tape 100 is suitable for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, bonding two substrates together, mounting applications using articles including (e.g., hooks, hangers, holders, wall hangings, decorations, pictures, calendars); joining applications such as adhering two or more containers; labeling applications; fastening applications; securing applications, and combinations of any of the foregoing. These applications may also including mounting, joining, securing, etc. two or more substrates together in wet or high humidity environments (e.g., bathrooms), or even articles in low temperatures (e.g. outdoor applications, windows, vehicles, or refrigerators).
In accordance with the invention, the pair of pull tabs 110, 115 are both exposed beyond a surface area of at least one of the substrates so that an end user can grip such pull tabs 110, 115 for removal of the tape 100. For ease of understanding the invention,
Referring to
During the tape 100 removal process, the pull tabs 110, 115 of the invention are simultaneously and compressively gripped by the end user, and then pulled in opposing directions from one another, as well as away from opposite ends of the substrate being removed (e.g., mount 150). In doing so, the pull tabs 110, 115 reside on opposite sides of the substrate being removed and may be pulled in opposing longitudinal or lateral directions depending on the orientation that the tape 100 has been affixed to the substrate.
In accordance with the invention, the end user pulls the double pull tabs 110, 115 simultaneously in a two-way opposing lengthwise direction to exert a two-way stretching force upon the tape 100, as shown in
In the removal process, as the pair of pull tabs 110, 115 are pulled, the two-way stretching force is applied to the extensible tensile sheet 120. As the extensible tensile sheet 120 is stretched and elongated, one or both of the adhesive 140, 130 layers attached thereto are also distorted in lateral, longitudinal, or both directions across the adhesive surfaces. That is the two-way stretching forces of the invention are also applied to the adhesive 140, 130 layers. As these adhesive 140, 130 layers are distorted, the bond between such adhesive 140, 130 layers and the substrate(s) begins to break, and completely breaks upon continued and increased two-way stretching forces that are generated as the pull tabs 110, 115 are pulled farther away from one another. In one or more embodiments the extensible tensile sheet 120 may be capable of stretching up to about 4-times its original length through the continuous opposing direction pulling of pull tabs 110, 115.
In one or more embodiments a plurality of double pull tab stretch releasing adhesive tapes 100 of the invention may be used in combination with each other to join one substrate to another substrate. For instance, referring to
In removing the ‘plurality of tapes 100, 100’ of the invention, a first double pull tab tape 100 is removed by simultaneously pulling its respective pair of pull tabs 110, 115 in opposing directions. As shown in
It should further be appreciated that in addition to using two or more double pull tab tapes 100, 100′ in a side-by-side orientation, the double pull tab tapes of the invention may also be used as two or more double pull tab tapes residing one over the other. That is, each double pull tab tape may have two (or more) individual double pull tab tapes 100 layered one over the other. In such an instance, each end of the tensile sheet may have two (or more) separate pull tabs that are layered one over the other. In these embodiments, the double pull tab tapes 100 of the invention may have one of the adhesive layers removed and replaced by a removably attachable and detachable fastening component that allows one of the substrates having a first of the layered double pull tab tapes to be removed from the second double pull tab tape, and then at a later time reaffixed or reattached to such second double pull tab tape. In these embodiments, the double pull tab tapes of the invention may each have a first side having the adhesive thereon and a second side having a fastening device that allows attachment, removal, and reattachment of a first substrate to a second substrate. While not meant to limit the invention, the fastening devices may include, for example, hook and loop fasteners (i.e., Velcro™), snaps, clips, hooks, and the like.
As an exemplary embodiment, a first double pull tab tape may be attached to a wall mount via the adhesive layer, whereby on the opposite side of the tensile sheet of the first tape resides a first component part of the removably attachable and detachable fastening device. A second double pull tab tape may be attached to a wall via another adhesive layer, whereby on the opposite side of the tensile sheet of the second tape resides a second mating component part of the removably attachable and detachable fastening device. An end user may attach the wall mount to the wall using the mating fastening devices, and at a later time, may detach the wall mount from the wall by breaking the mating connection between the mating fastening device, or alternatively remove the double layers of tapes by simultaneously pulling the pull tabs of the second tape attached to the wall to remove both tapes as well as the wall mount. In those embodiments where the second tape is left remaining attached to the wall (i.e., only the wall mount has been removed), the removed wall mount may be later reattached to the second tape, or alternatively, a different substrate (e.g., a different type of wall mount) may be attached to the remaining second tape. It should be appreciated that many variants of the instant embodiments are envisioned and encompassed within the invention.
It has been found that the double pull tab stretch releasing adhesive tapes 100 of the invention rapidly, conveniently, cleanly, and safely are removed from the substrate without causing damage to such substrate(s). It has also been found that the various tapes 100 of the invention are cleanly removable from the substrate(s) and leave no visible residue remaining on the substrate. The double pull tabs 110, 115 on opposing lengthwise ends of the tapes 100 of the invention allow for an end user to remove a substrate held to another substrate via the present double pull tab tapes 100 without hold the substrate being removed. For instance, in conventional stretch releasing tapes pull tabs are provided only at one end of such conventional tapes, such that upon removal of the substrate, an end user must hold the substrate (e.g., mounting hook) with one hand while pulling down on the pull tab with the other hand (see, e.g.,
While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is:
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201621044642.2 | Sep 2016 | CN | national |