GB2181992A

GB2181992A - Self-adhesive tape

Info

Publication number: GB2181992A
Application number: GB08526180A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Benedict H Goldsmith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-10-23
Filing date: 1985-10-23
Publication date: 1987-05-07
Also published as: GB8526180D0

Abstract

A block (10) is formed of 12 superimposed, individual strips (11) of self-adhesive tape. Each strip has, for example, an edge region (12) left free of the adhesive covering to facilitate grasping thereof ready for removing the uppermost tape strip from the block. This provides a convenient supply of individual tape strips which can be readily removed one at a time. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Self-adhesive tape This invention relates to self-adhesive tape.

Hitherto self-adhesive tape has generally been supplied as a roll of a continuous length of the tape. Required lengths of the tape are withdrawn from the roll and are then torn off from the remainder of the tape roll. it is often difficult to locate the free end of the tape on the roll and to lift that end preparatory to withdrawing a required length thereof from the roll. Moreover it can be troublesome to tear off the required length of tape from the roll. It is known to mount such a roll in a dispenser having a serrated edge for assisting tearing off of a required length of the tape from the roll.

The free end of the tape left after a tearing operation remains stuck to the serrated edge so that the free end can be readily grasped for a subsequent dispensing operation. However even when using such a dispenser, it can still be difficult to withdraw a specific length of tape suitable for a particular application and to tear off easily and neatly the length from the roll.

The invention seeks to provide a supply of self-adhesive tape which enables convenient lengths of the tape to be readily removed therefrom.

The invention provides a supply of self-adhesive tape comprising a multiplicity of individual pieces of the tape, which would generally be of a similar size and shape, superimposed on one another to form a block, edge regions of the tape pieces being adapted, or provided with means, to facilitate grasping of a portion of each tape piece preparatory to stripping it from the block.

In some embodiments an edge region or edge regions of each of the individual tape pieces may be left without adhesive to allow it to be easily lifted and gripped by a user to facilitate stripping of the individual tape pieces from the block one at a time. Each tape piece may be perforated or otherwise locally weakened so as to facilitate detachment of such edge region or regions after removal of the tape piece from the block.

In other embodiments, a non-adhesive element could be provided to cover at least an edge region of an adhesive layer provided over the entire extent of one side of each tape piece. This allows that edge region of each strip to be lifted and grasped ready for stripping the tape piece from the block. The non-adhesive element can be removed from its respective tape- piece and discarded after removal of the tape piece from the block. The non-adhesive elements could project from the block of tape pieces to further facilitate grasping thereof.

The aforesaid block could be mounted in a holder which enables the individual tape pieces to be stripped from the block using one hand only.

A block of self-adhesive tape according to the invention provides a supply of individual pieces of the tape which can be readily removed from the block for use. The tape pieces forming respective blocks according to the invention can be made in various different sizes and/or shapes for different purposes. Indeed blocks of tape according to the invention can be formed of tape of a wide variety of different types and compositions, typically, but not exclusively, the type of pressure sensitive self-adhesive tapes generally used for domestic and office applications. Most generally, but not exclusively, the tape piece would be made of a plastics material. The tape could be of the single or double-sided variety, for different applications.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a block of self-adhesive tape strips which embodies the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a self-adhesive tape block mounted in a dispenser; and, Figure 4 is a perspective detail of a fourth embodiment.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a block 10 comprising a number of individual strips 11 of self-adhesive tape superimposed on one another. A narrow edge region 12 at one end of each strip 11 is left free of adhesive to allow it to be easily raised using a fingernail and grasped so that the uppermost strip 11 can be torn off from the block. In a second embodiment, shown in Fig. 2, just two corner areas 20 at one end of each strip 11 are left without any adhesive covering.

Fig. 3 illustrates a third embodiment in which one end of each of the superimposed strips 13 is rounded and an adjacent edge region of the strip is left free of adhesive to provide a tab 19 which can be readily lifted and grasped for removing a strip from the block 14. The block is mounted in a holder 15 having a flat base 16 and an upstanding wall 17 which extends along one end of the base and along a major part of each side of the base. The block 14 is mounted on the base of the holder 15 and the individual strips 13 can be removed from the block by grasping the adhesive-free tab 19 of the uppermost strip and pulling the tab towards the opposite end of the holder. Since the wall 17 of the holder locates the block against movement in the direction of the force being applied to the uppermost strip, the strip is removed from the block.The holder 15 is preferably of a sufficient weight to allow removal of a strip using one hand only.

Each tape strip 11 or 13 may be perforated so as to facilitate detachment of the edge region 12 or the corner areas 20 or tab 19 after removal of the strip from the block.

Fig. 4 represents part of a block composed of superimposed self-adhesive strips 21 (of which only a few are shown and only one end thereof) separated at the end by a small piece of non-adhesive cellulose film or other material 22, whose edge may or may not stick out further than the strips 10, though they protrude in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4.

This would allow a user to remove each strip 21 one at a time by pulling upwards on piece 22 which would be stuck to strip 11 above it.

On using the strip the user would be able to remove the non-adhesive piece 22, which is disposable. Thus, no part of the strip 21 would be left without any adhesive thereon as in the previously described embodiments of Figs. 1-3. This embodiment could be utilized to form a block of double-sided self-adhesive strips 21 with the non-adhesive strip or backing 22 extending along the entire length of the strips 21 and also protruding therefrom so as to facilitate lifting of each individual strip by the user.

It is envisaged that a variety of blocks composed of tape pieces of different shapes and/or sizes could be provided for a wide range of different applications. A typical example of the tape is a pressure sensitive, self-adhesive cellulose film tape for use generally in securing together paper sheets. The film may be clear or coloured or provided with designs or wording thereon. The tape could be of the type having adhesive on both sides thereof with a release paper provided on the adhesive layer on one side of the tape, for the embodiments of Fig. 1-3 as well as for the Fig. 4 embodiment.

Claims

1. A supply of self-adhesive tape comprising a multiplicity of individual pieces of the tape superimposed on one another to form a block, edge regions of the tape pieces being adapted, or provided with means, to facilitate grasping of a portion of each tape piece preparatory to stripping it from the block.

2. A supply of self-adhesive tape as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each tape piece has a layer of adhesive thereon which covers at least the majority of the surface area of one side of the tape piece.

3. A supply of self-adhesive tape as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein an edge region or edge regions of each tape piece on one side thereof is/are left free of an adhesive covering provided on that side of the tape.

4. A supply of self-adhesive tape as claimed in Claim 3 wherein each tape piece is perforated or otherwise locally weakened so as to facilitate detachment of said edge region or regions after removal of the tape piece from the block.

5. A supply of self-adhesive tape as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said means comprise a non-adhesive element covering at least an edge region of an adhesive layer provided over the entire extent of one side of each tape piece.

6. A supply of self-adhesive tape as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the non-adhesive elements project beyond the periphery of said block of the tape pieces.

7. A supply of self-adhesive tape as claimed in any one of Claims 1-6, wherein the tape pieces are generally similar, elongate strips.

8. A supply of self-adhesive tape as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said edge region(s) is adjacent one end of each strip of tape.

9. A supply of self-adhesive tape as claimed in any preceding Claim in combination with a holder having a base on which the block can be positioned and an upstanding abutment for engagement by an edge of the block opposite to said edge regions of the individual tape pieces to facilitate stripping of the uppermost tape piece from the block.

10. A supply of self-adhesive tape substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any one of Figs.

1-4 of the accompanying drawings.

11. The combination of a supply of selfadhesive tape and a holder therefor, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.