NZ243211A - Lint remover - adhesive tape roll having a non-adhesive side edge portion - Google Patents

Description

FORM 5.

:.A Reg.^^t) NEW ZEALAND F S?! $260 £ipt?GiiiCa.,-*^r- Mtio L*C - '" — ■ ^«...J*r vx~~ 19 Ji? 2o'<o - sy f»,V!v'' ' Ccn-vitie rpec;.':ci,t:c.n i . .ao.«cJ?1 Aunu3-&«=>^, PjI.Y ! f<,Q PATENTS ACT 195 3 1 2 8 MS /995 I3.1S".

Insert nunber of Provisional Sceci fication(s) (if any) and c!ate(s) of filing; othernise leave blank.

Insert Title of Invention.

Insert full na.ne, ful I street address and nationality of [each) applicant.

/ -A i'-v 18 JUNI992S; Mumber: Date: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LINT REMOVER I/WE NICHOLAS DOUGLAS McKAY, a citizen of United States of America of G-9082 South Saginaw Road, Grand Blanc, Michigan 48506, United States of America hereby declare the invention for which I/we pray that a patent may be granted to me/us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statenient:- The following page is numbered "la" Indicate if following — 1 — page i s numbered '1(a)' 2.3.92 24 3 2 1 This invention relates to a lint remover roller assembly having a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape longitudinally wound into a roll thereon with the adhesive surface facing outwardly.

More specifically the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll is provided with at least one slit substantially therethrough which extends partially across the width of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll so that at least One selected narrow portion of the pressure sensicive adhesive tape roll is not slit so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll upon the lint remover roller.

Several embodiments of the invention are hereinafter disclosed which include various types of slit configurations all of which include at least one portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll which is not slit so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll upon the lint remover roller.

In use, the lint remover roller is rolled against the surface of the material so as to remove lint and other loose particles, such as threads, hair and the like therefrom. After the initial outer surface of the adhesive tape roll becomes saturated, it can be removed by lifting the leading edge of the tape roll and pulling it away from the next underlying adhesive surface. The relatively narrow unslit portion or portions of the tape roll are easily torn so that the saturated portion of the tape is easily removed along the slit and the unslit portion so as to expose the next underlying adhesive portion of the tape roll, ready for use in removing lint -la- as required.

When that portion is saturated with lint and/or other foreign particles removed from the surface of the fabric being cleaned, the leading edge of the tape roll is lifted away from the underlying roll and the saturated portion is pulled off along the slit and easily torn away along the narrow unslit portion so as to fully expose the next underlying adhesive portion of the tape roll.

This procedure is repeated after each exposed adhesive surface of the tape roll is utilized.

The devices of the prior art illustrate the use of tape rolls which utilize variou? slit configurations which extend transversely across the full width of the tape roll so as to slit the tape roll from one longitudinal edge to the other thereby fully severing the longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll. The devices of McKenzie 2,624,060 and Ramelson 3,343,194 are examples of prior art structures wherein the use of a traverse slit is disclosed which extends across the entire width of the tape roll.

In summary, the instant invention utilizes a transverse slit which does not extend fully across the entire width but only partially thereacross so as to maintain at least one narrow unslit portion which preserves the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll upon the lint remover roller.

Nowhere in the prior known art is there shown a pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll which is provided with at least one slit substantially therethrough which extends only partially across the width of the tape roll so that at least one selected narrow portion of the tape roll is not slit so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll upon the lint remover roller.

Further, nowhere in prior known art- is there shown a washable adhesive plastic tape roll which is provided with at least one slit substantially therethrough which extends only partially across the width of the tape roll so that at least one selected narrow portion of the tape roll is no?, slit so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll upon the lint remover roller.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a partially slit pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll which maintains its retentive longitudinally continuous integrity upon the lint remover roller upon which it is wound so as to not inadvertently splay away therefrom in use.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll having at least one slit substantially therethrough which extends only partially across the width of the tape roll so that at least one selected narrow portion of the tape roll is not slit so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll upon the lint remover roller.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lint remover roller having a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape longitudinally wound into a roll thereon with the adhesive surface facing outwardly with at least one slit substantially through the tape roll which extends only partially across the width of the tape roll so that at least one selected narrow portion of the tape roll is not slit so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll upon the lint remover roller thereby preventing inadvertent splaying of the tape roll away from the lint remover roller.

Other objects and advantages found in the construction of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification in connection with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lint remover roller with a pressure sensitive- adhesive tape fully wound thereon and showing a slit in the tape roll extending partially transversely thereacross.

Figure 2 is a perspective schematic view of the lint remover roller showing the used top layer of the tape roll partially removed.

Figure 3 is a perspective view.of the lint remover roller showing the used top layer of the tape roll being separated from the unused tape roll along the slit and by tearing along the unslit portions.

Figure 4 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll having non-adhesive side portions with an intermediate partial slit extending therebetween.

Figure 5 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll having non-adhesive side portions with a partial slit extending from the inside edge of one of the non-adhesive side portions through the opposite non-adhesive side portion to the opposite edge of the tape roll. & A Figure 6 is a partial plan view of another embodiment of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll having a single non-adhesive side portion with a partial slit extending therefrom to the opposite edge of the tape roll.

Figure 7 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll having a slit configuration identical to but opposite that shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll having a pair of opposed longitudinally aligned spaced-apart slits extending inwardly respectively from the opposite edges of the tape roll so as to define a narrow unslit portion of the tape roll therebetween.

Figure 9 is a schematic end view of an embodiment of the prior art showing the slit cut through the entire depth and width of the tape roll and of the core member upon which the tape is wound.

Figure 10 is a schematic end view of an embodiment of the prior art showing the slit cut through the entire depth and width of the tape roll with the core remaining intact.

Figure 11 is a schematic end view of the embodiment of the prior art shown in Figure 10 showing the fully slit tape roll splaying open from the core.

Figure 12 is a schematic end view of the embodiment of the prior art shown in Figure 9 showing the fully slit tape roll and core splaying open from the roller upon which they are mounted.

Figure 13 is a schematic end view of an embodiment of the prior art showing the slit cut entirely through the entire width of the tape roll but only substantially and not entirely through the depth of the tape roll.

Figure 14 is a schematic end view of an embodiment of the prior art showing the slit cut through the entire depth and width of the tape roll and only slightly into the core.

Figure 15 is a schematic sectional view of one embodiment of the invention showing the tape roll with the slit partially there-across with the narrow unslit portion which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll.

Figure 16 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of the invention showing the tape roll with the slit partially thereacross with the narrow unslit portion which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll.

Figure 17 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the invention showing the tape roll with the slit partially thereacross with the narrow unslit portion which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll.

Figure 18 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of -the invention showing the tape roll with the slit partially thereacross with the narrow unslit portion which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll.

Figure 19 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing the tape roll having a diagonal slit provided intermediate the non-adhesive side portions of the tape as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 20 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing the tape roll having a diagonal slit provided from the inside edge of one non-adhesive side portion across the entire width of the tape roll through the opposite non-adhesive side portion to the 1 V opposite edge portion of the tape roll as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 21 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing the tape roll having a diagonal slit provided from the inside edge of the left non-adhesive side portion "across the entire width of the tape roll to the opposite edge portion thereof.

Figure 22 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing the tape roll having a diagonal slit provided from the left edge portion of the tape roll across to the inside edge portion of the right non-adhesive side portion.

Figure 23"is another embodiment of the invention illustrating the use of a washable plastic based pressure sensitive adhesive tape having a pair of elongate spaced-apart longitudinally aligned slits therethrough and defining three narrow unslit tape portions therebetween and along the edge portions of the tape proximate 15 thereto so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll.

Figure 24 is a schematic sequential view of the invention as shown in Figure 23 illustrating the used portion of the washable tape being pulled away to expose the unused adhesive tape therebelow. 20 Figure 25 is a schematic sequential view of the invention as shown in Figures 23 and 24 being removed along the slits and torn away across the unslit narrow portions of the washable tape.

Figure 26 is a partial plan view of the embodiment of the washable tape roll shown in Figure 23.

Figure 27 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing a washable plastic adhesive tape roll having four transversely oriented spaced apart longitudinally aligned slits therethrough which ^4 3 2 1 1 define five unslit tape portions which maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the washable tape roll.

Figure 28 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing a washable plastic adhesive tape roll having a single elongate slit partially across the width thereof so as to define unslit portions along the sides thereof which maintain the retentive longitudinally continous integrity of the tape roll.

Figure 29 is a partial pl.an view of an embodiment of the invention showing a washable plastic adhesive tape roll having a single elongate 10 slit partially across the width thereof so as to define a narrow unslit portion along one side edge thereof which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll.

DESCRIPTION As shown in Figures 1-3 a lint remover assembly 40 is provided -4 with a roller assembly 41 having a pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll 42 mounted thereon which' is adapted to remove lint, dust and other foreign materials from the surface of fabric and the like. While the embodiment of the lint remover assembly 40 shown 20 in the drawings is shown with an axially aligned handle 43 extending outwardly from the roller 41, it is within the scope of the invention that the roller 41 be provided with any type of handle configuration such as the yoke or semi-yoke handles shown in the devices of the prior art as discussed herein. The type of handle used is not 25 considered as an integral part of this invention as long as a handle is provided so that the roller 41 can be selectively rolled over a fabric surface so as to remove lint therefrom.

I P 1 As described herein, the roller assembly 61 may consist of a cylinder 41 which supportably engages the core 44 thereon or may consist of circular end caps provided in association with the handle 43 and which are adapted to supportably engage the core 44 therebetween The specific configurations of the roller support assembly 41 is well known in the art and is not considered a part of the invention.

The tape roll 42 consists of a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape longitudinally wound on itself or on a tubular core 44 with the adhesive surface facing outwardly so as to selectively engage the surface of any fabric against which it is rolled. The t2pe roll 42 is adapted to be slidably counted over or otherwise be supported by the roller assembly 41.

The pressure sensitive adhesive tape utilized can consist of a saturated release coated crepe paper, pulled out paper or flat back paper or can be fabricated utilizing a flexible washable plastic substrate of poly vinyl or other suitable washable plastic sheet material having a washable pressure sensitive adhesive coating provided on one side thereof. The adhesive coating provided on the flexible plastic substrate can also be a water base poly vinyl acetate so as to be washable so that each layer of tape can be used several times before being detached and discarded as hereinfter described.

As hereinafter described and shown in the drawings, the tape roll 42 is provided with at least one slit 45 substantially therethrough which extends partially across the width of the tape roll 42 so as to define a narrow unslit portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape which acts to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll 42 upon the core 44.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1-4, the slit 45 is provided intermediate the non-adhesive side portions 46 and 47 selectively provided on tape roll 42. Thus positioned, the slit 45 defines unslit portions 52. and 53, respectively, between the ends of the slit 45 and the side edges of the tape 42. This embodiment of the tape roll utilizes the pressure sensitive adhesive tape having a paper substrate. The use of one or more non-adhesive side portions is well known in the prior art and is not considered as an integral part of this invention.

In use, the lint remover assembly 40 is selectively rolled over the surface to be cleaned so that the outer adhesive surface of the tape roll 42 removes the lint, dust and foreign particles therefrom as they adhere thereto. After the outer surface becomes saturated through repeated use, the outer used layer 48 can be removed as shown in Figures 2 and 3. This is initially accomplished by lifting the corner 49 of the leading edge 50 of the tape roll 42 and pulling the used layer 48 away from the tape roll 42 so as to expose the unused adhesive tape layer 51 therebelow. As shown in Figure 3, the used layer 48 is severed from the cape roll 42 by selectively tearing it away along the narrow unslit portions 52 and 53 and lifting it away easily along the slit 45. After the used layer 48 is thus removed, the lint remover 40 is ready for use until the tape layer 51 is similarly saturated. The foregoing process is repeated until the entire tape roll is expended. A new refill tape roll is selectively installed on the roller assembly as desired. As previously discussed the slit tape roll 42 remains intact on the core 44 and/or roller 41 and does not splay open in use because the narrow unslit portions maintain the retentive " 3 ? longitudinally continuous integrity of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll on the core and/or roller.

As shown schematically in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize various types of slit configuration i 45 partially across the width of the tape roll 42 as long as at least one narrow unslit portion 54, 55, 56 and 57, respectively, is provided so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the pressure sensitive tape roll.

As shown in Figure 5, another embodiment of the invention illus-10 trates a slit 45 which extends from the inside edge of the non-ache- sive side portion 46 across the entire width of the tape roll 42 through the non-adhesive side portion to the opposite right side edge 42b of the tape roll 42 so as to define an unslit portion 54 which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity 15 of the tape.

As shown in Figure 6, yet another embodiment of the invention illustrates a slit 45 which is identical to the slit 45 shown in Figure 5 but the tape roll is not provided with a non-adhesive side portion 47 along the right side thereof and which defines 20 an unslit portion 55 which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integirty of the tape.

As shown in Figure 7, another embodiment of the invention is shown having the slit 45 extending from the left side edge 42a of the tape roll across the width of the tape to the inside edge 25 of the non-adhesive portion 47 so as to define an unslit portion 56 which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape.

As shown in Figure 8, another embodiment of the invention is shown having a pair of spaced-apart slits 58 and 59, respectively, extending inwardly from the side edges 62a and 62b of the tape 62 so as to define an unslit portion 57 therebetween which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape.

It is to be understood that the non-adhesive side portions provided on the tape itself are not considered to be an integral part of the invention and can be selectively used or eliminated partially or completely as desired as shown in the drawings.

Various modifications of the full slit configurations utilized in the prior art are shown schematically in sectional views of Figures 9 through 16 wherein the prior art slit 60 extends entirely across the full width of the prior art tape roll 61 and/or the prior art core 62. For instance, as shown in Figure 9, the prior art slit 60 is cut through the entire depth of the tape roll 61 and the core 62 and extends across the entire width thereof so as to sever the longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll. The corresponding view of Figure 12 illustrates the manner in which the prior art core and tape roll could splay open and fail during actual use. Figure 10 similarly shows a prior art slit configuration with the slit extending through the full depth of the tape roll and extending through the entire entire width thereof. The corresponding view of Figure 11 shows the fully slit prior art tape roll splaying open from the core which is not slit.

As more clearly shown in the partial enlarged schematic end view of Figure 13, the prior art slit 60 extends across the entire width of the tape roll 61 so as to fully sever the longitudinally 24 3 2 continuous integrity of the adhesive tape roll 61 on the core 62. As shown in Figure 14, another configuration of the prior art slit 60 also extends across the entire width of the tape roll 61 so as to sever the longitudinally continuous integrity thereof.

The schematic end views of Figures 15 through 18 illustrate various depth configurations of the slit 45 of the present invention which do not extend the entire width of the tape roll 42 so as to define unslit portions 52, 53, 54 or 57, such as shown in Figures 4 through 8, which maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of.the tape roll 42 upon the core 44. This is also shown in Figure 3 and Figures 15 through 18.

Modifications of the instant invention are shown in Figures 19 through 22 wherein the slit 45 is shown in a diagonal position partially across the width of the tape roll 42 so as to define one or more unslit portions of the tape roll 42 so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll 42 upon the core 44. The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 19 corresponds to the embodiment thereof shown in Figure 4 with the exception the slit 45 in Figure 19 is diagonal and will not be descibed again. Similarly, the embodiment of Figure 20 corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figure 5. Similarly, the embodiment of Figure 21 corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figure 6. Similarly the embodiment of Figure 22 corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figure 7. It is considered to be within the scope of the invention that the slit can have any desired type of curved, diagonal or serpentine configuration as it extends partially across the width of the tape roll 42 as long as it defines one or more unslit portions in the tape roll 42 which maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll 42 upon its core 44.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown in Figures 23 through 29 wherein the tape roll 63 consists of a washable pressure sensitive adhesive tape comprised of a pl2Stic substrate, one side of which has been coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating. This type of washable adhesive lint remover is well known in the art and will not be described herein. Suffice it to say that the washable tape roll 63 has an outwardly facing adhesive surface and acts in the same manner as the embodiment 40 shown and described in Figures 1 through 22.

In the washable tape embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 23 through 26 the washable tape roll 63 is provided with two spaced apart slits 64 and 65, respectively, which define unslit portions 66 and 67, respectively, between the outer ends thereof and the side edges 63a and 63b, respectively, of the tape roll 63 and a centrally positioned unslit portion 68 therebetween. The unslit portions 66, 67 and .68 cooperate to maintain the retentive longitudi nally continuous integrity of the tape roll 63. The washable tape lint remover as shown in the sequential views of Figures 23 through 25 functions in the same manner as the embodiment of the invention shown and described in Figures 1 through 3.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 26 is the same as the embodiment shown in Figures 23 through 25.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 27 illustrates a washable adhesive tape roll 63 which is provided with four spaced slits 69, 70, 71 and 72 which cooperate with each other and with the side edges 63a and 63b respectively, to define unslit portions 73, 74, 75, 76 and 77 therebetween which act to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll 63 The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 28 illustrates a washable adhesive tape roll 63 provided with a single slit 78 which extends partially across the width of the tape roll 63 so as to define narrow unslit portions 79 and 80 proximate to the side edges 63a and 63b, respectively, so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll 63.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 29 illustrates a washable adhesive tape roll 63 provided with a single slit 81 which extends from the side edge 63a of the tape roll 63 partially across the tape roll 63 proximate to the opposite side edge 63b so as to define an unslit portion 82 adjacent thereto so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll 63 rs herein described.

It should be noted that the slits described hereabove can be selectively provided diagonally partially across the width of the tape roll as described previously with respect to the embodiment of the invention shown and described in Figures 19 through 22.

Further, the number of slits provided in any embodiment of this invention is not critical thereto as long as there is defined at least one narrow unslit portion so as to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll. In addition, it is not critical to the invention that a non-adhesive side portion be utilized therewith for such is known in the pr.'cr art.

Further, although not shown, it is considered to be within the scope of the invention for the pressure sens itive adhesive tape to be wound directly upon itself with che adhesive surface thereof facing outwardly and adapted for direct insertion upon the lint remover roller without the use of an intermediate core or sleeve element.

It is thus seen that a pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll is provided having layers of adhesive tape therein. As each outermost layer becomes saturated with lint and/or other foreign particles, it can be selectivey detached from the roll by lifting it away along the slit and tearing it away through the unslit portion or portions so as to expose the next unused layer therebelow.

In summary, a lint remover assembly is provided with a handle member having a lint remover roller in association therewith which is adapted to supportably receive a pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll theTeon having layers of adhesive tape with the adhesive surface facing outwardly so that the adhesive tape roll can be selectively rolled over a surface to selectively lift lint and/or other foreign particles therefrom. The pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll having an outwardly facing adhesive surface is adapted for selective mounting upon a lint reoover roller. The pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll is provided with at least one slit substantially therethrough. The slit extends only partially across the width of the tape roll so as to define a narrow unslit portion in the tape roll which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll on the lint remover roller upon which it is mounted. Each layer of the tape roll is selectively 24 3 2 1 1 detachable upon saturation by lifting it away along the slit 8nd tearing it away through the narrow unslit portion so as to expose the next lowermost unused layer.

The pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll can be modified to ' have a narrow non-adhesive unslit portion longitudinally 2long one side edge thereof. The modified pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll has at least one slit substantially therethrough. The slit extends from the inside edge of the non-adhesive unslit portion partially across the width of the tape roll to the opposite side 10 edge of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll so as to define a narrow unslit portion in the tape roll which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll on the lint remover roller upon which the tape roll is mounted.

The pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll can be further modified 15 to have a narrow non-adhesive unslit side edge portion longitudinally along each side edge thereof. The thus modified pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll has at least one slit substantially therethrough. The slit extends from the inside edge of one of the narrow non-adhesive J side edge portions partially across the width of the tape roll to the inside edge of the opposite non-adhesive unslit side edge portion so as to define a pair of spaced apart narrow unslit side edge portions which maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll on the lint remover roller upon which the tope roll is mounted.

It should be noted that the slit in the foregoing embodiments can be selectively provided to extend diagonally partially across the width of the tape roll to facilitate selective removal of each 2 4 5 ;> layer from the tape r~ll after it has become saturated with lint and/or other foreign particles.

The pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll can be further modified so as to have at least ore pair of spaced-apart longitudinally 5 aligned slits which are provided partially across the width of the tape roll so as to define at least one narrow unslit portion therebetween which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll on the lint remover roller upon which it is mounted.

It should be further noted that in all of the modifications of the invention that the pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll can be selectively wound upon a core sleeve which is adapted to be selectively mounted upon the lint remover roller.

In another embodiment of the invention, a lint remover assembly 15 is provided with a handle member having a lint remover roller in association therewith which is adapted to supportably receive a washable plastic based pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll thereon having layers of washable plastic based adhesive tape with the adhesive surface facing outwardly so that the washable plastic 20 based adhesive tape roll can be selectively rolled over a surface to selectively lift lint and/or other foreign particles therefrom. The washable plastic based pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll having an outwardly facing adhesive surface is adapted for selective mounting upon a lint remover roller. The washable plastic based 25 pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll is provided with at least one slit substantially therethrough. The slit which extends only partially across the width of the tape roll defines a narrow unslit portion in the tape roll which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll on the lint recover roller upon which it is mounted. Each layer of the tape roll is selectively detachable upon saturation by lifting it away along the slit and tearing it 2way through the narrow unslit portion to expose the next lowermost unused layer.

The cashable plastic based pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll can be modified to have at least one pair of spaced-apart longitudinally aligned slits which extend partially across the width of the tape roll so as to define one narrow central unslit portion therebetween. Each of the slits extend proximate to its respective side edge of the tape roll so as to define a narrow side unslit portion at each edge of the tape roll . The narrow central unslit portion and the narrow unslit side portions cooperate to maintain the retentive lingitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll on the lint remover roller upon which it is mounted.

The washable plastic based pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll can be further modified to have a plurality of longitudinally aligned spaced apart slits which extend partially across the width of the tape roll so as to respectively define a plurality of narrow unslit portions in the tape roll which cooperate to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll on the lint remover roller upon which it is mounted.

Another embodiment of the washable plastic ba6ed pressure sensitiv adhesive tape roll is provided with an elongate slit partially across the width of the tape roll so as to define a narrow unslit side portion in the tape roll proximate to each side edge thereof.

The narrow unslit side portions cooperate to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll on the lint remover roller upon which it is mounted.

Yet another embodiment of the washable plastic based pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll is provided with an elongate slit substantially therethrough. The slit extends from one side edge of the tape roll partially across the width of the tape roll proximate to the opposite side edge thereof so as to define a narrow unslit portion adjacent the opposite side edge. The narrow unslit portion is adapted to maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll on the lint remover roller upon which it is mounted.

The foregoing embodiment of the washable plastic based pressure sensitive adhesive tape roll can be selectively wound upon a core sleeve which is adapted to be selectively mounted upon a lint remover roller assembly.

In closing, it should be noted that it is within the scope of all of the embodiments of this invention that any configuration and/or combination of slits can be utilized in connection with the adhesive tape roll so long as one or more unslit portions are provided in the tape roll which maintain the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of the tape roll upon the lint remover assembly upon which it is mounted while permitting selective removal of each layer of the adhesive tape as it becomes saturated in use.

Various other modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the principle thereof. Each of the modifications is to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims, unless these claims by their language expressly provide otherwise.

Claims (5)

2432 WHAT I/WE CLAIM IS:

1. A lint remover assembly provided with a handle member having a lint remover roller in association therewith and a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape roll mounted thereon, the tape roll having layers of adhesive tape with the adhesive surface facing outwardly so that the adhesive tape roll can be rolled over a surface to lift lint and/or other foreign particles therefrom, said pressure-sensitive adhesive tape roll being provided with a narrow non-adhesive portion longitudinally along one side edge thereof, said tape roll having at least one slit substantially therethrough, said slit extending only partially across the width of said tape roll so as to define a narrow unslit portion m said tape roll which maintains the retentive longitudinally continuous integrity of said tape roll on the lint remover roller upon which it is mounted, said slit terminating at the inside edge of said non-adhesive portion so as to define a narrow unslit portion in said non-adhesive side edge of the tape roll each layer of said tape roll being selectively detachable upon saturation by lifting it away along said slit and tearing it away through said narrow unslit portion to expose the next lowermost unused layer.

2. The lint remover assembly of claim 1 wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape roll_ is provided with a 22 narrow non-adhesive unslit side edge portion longitudinally along each side edge thereof and said slit extends from the inside edge of one of said narrow non-adhesive side edge portions across the width of said tape roll to the inside edge of the opposite non-adhesive unslit side edge portion.

3. The lint remover assembly of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said slit extends diagonally partially across the width of said tape roll.

4. The lint remover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said pressure-sensitive adhesive tape roll is wound upon a core sleeve mounted upon said lint remover roller.

5. The lint remover assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape roll is washable. J. D. HAf5o!E & CO. Fo'c"--? Al'orna/s for N.Z.PAT3NTOfviCc ^ -4 APR 1995