GB2269797A - A tape with a tab to remove a transverse strip of backing material - Google Patents

Abstract

A self adhesive tape suitable for identification marking of pipes has a top layer and a peelable backing, the top layer having defined along at least a portion of its length a secondary edge formed by a longitudinal cut A. The tape has transverse cuts C which extend from the edge of the backing no further than the longitudinal cut A. As shown, the cuts C stop short of cut A. These cuts C form tabs 5 which allow easy removal of a transverse strip of backing from the tape. The transverse strip may correspond in position to a message (4, Figure 1) to be positioned correctly. If the backing is wider than the top layer, the cuts C may be through the backing layer only, the top layer edges being uncut at these points. Transverse cuts B in the top layer extend from the edge of the top layer to beyond the longitudinal cuts A to enable tearing of the tape. If the backing is wider than the top layer, the cuts B may also be through the backing, but leaving the uncovered backing uncut. <IMAGE>

Description

PIPELINE MARKERS This invention relates to tapes, in particular but not exclusively to tapes for identification marking of pipes.

In commercial, industrial and institutional premises pipes and ducts require marking with colour coded bands which indicate the contents of the pipe. Stripes of self adhesive tape have been used for this purpose, but the markings can be difficult to measure and cut to length in restricted areas and overhead locations. Furthermore although individuals familiar with the codes can readily identify the contents there are instances when individuals less aware of the standard markings may need to be aware of the pipe contents.

These problems are addressed to some extent in UK patent specification No. 1514644 which describes a self adhesive tape that carries the colour coded bands plus additional wording indicating pipe contents and flow direction arrows.

However, in restricted and awkward locations it is still difficult for the workman to carry tools for cutting the tape, removal of the backing can also be difficult as can be ensuring the wording is positioned in the most visible location. The present invention aims to overcome these problems by providing a self adhesive tape that can be applied without requirement for tools and which has easy backing removal and legend positioning.

Accordingly the invention provides a self adhesive tape comprising a top layer and a peelable backing, the top layer having defined along at least a portion of at least one side of the tape, a secondary edge inwardly of the edge of -the peelable backing and at least one pair of transversely extending cuts in the tape extending from the edge of the peelable backing at most up to said secondary edge to define at least one tab portion enabling removal of a transverse strip of backing from the tape.

Preferably the secondary edge is a longitudinally extending cut along the entire length of the top layer of the tape, but not through the backing.

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a tape according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the cut pattern along the edge of the tape and backing; Figure 3 shows schematically a tape after removal of part of the backing; Figure 4 illustrates a dispenser for the tape according to a preferred embodiment; Figure 5 illustrates a stage in the backing removal process; and Figure 6 illustrates a subsequent stage of applying the tape to a pipe and further backing removal.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the tape comprises a single or, as now described, a multi-coloured adhesive backed plastics top layer and a release backing layer. When multi-coloured the top layer may comprise colour coded stripes. The illustrated tape is a heating tape having outer green bands 1 and a central crimson band 2 bounded on each side by a blue band 3. The tape also carries a legend 4 'HTG < 1000C' at intervals, both ways up, to indicate that the pipe is a heating pipe below 100 C. Other legends would of course be used corresponding to other colour codes. Indication of direction and type of flow may also be incorporated.

Along the outer edges of the tape there are a plurality of cuts or nicks of different types, shown in more detail in Figure 2. There are three types of cut. The first, referenced A extends longitudinally along the tape and extends only through the adhesive backed plastics layer.

This cut marks the outer boundary of the plastics layer that will eventually be applied to a pipe or duct.

A second type of cut, referenced B, is provided at intervals along each edge. These cuts extend transversely of the tape through only the plastics adhesive layer and extend a little way beyond intersection with the longitudinal cut A. The purpose of these cuts is to provide a tear start so that a required length of tape can be torn off a roll without requiring scissors or other cutting tools. It will be realised in this connection that while many plastics tapes are resistant to tearing from an uninterrupted edge they will tear evenly and straight from a nick or interruption such as the cut B. A particularly suitable plastics film layer for this purpose is polypropylene, for example of a thickness of 60 microns.

Cut B could extend through the backing layer as well, and function similarly, but the resulting tape may then be prone to unintentional tearing during handling.

To aid the tearing process the tape is preferably provided in a roll, mounted in a box as illustrated in Figure 4, so that the free end of the roll extends out of the top of the box. The tape can then be held against the top and the square edge between the top and side of the box used as a straight edge against which to tear the tape.

It will be observed in Figure 2 that several cuts B, in the illustrated instance six, are provided in a group, spaced apart by a pair of the third type of cuts C.

The cuts C extend transversely through both the release backing and the plastics adhesive layer, but as shown they terminate before intersection with the longitudinal cut A.

The cuts C are also aligned to occur to each side of the legend 4.

The purpose of the cuts C is to enable the backing layer to be preferentially removed from that portion of the tape carrying the legend 4. When the tab 5 defined between the cuts C is pulled backwards, as shown in Figure 5, the cuts C enable both the backing and the plastics layer to commence tearing along the continuation of the cuts C.

However, the plastics layer tear then intersects with cut A, which only extends through the plastics layer, and this acts as a secondary edge to the top layer halting the progression of the tear in the plastics layer. Thus after the cut A only the backing continues to tear and this preferentially removes the backing from the tape along the back of the legend 4.

It will be noted in Figure 1, that arrows and wording 'tear across' and 'peel off' indicate the location of the different transverse cuts B and C. The cuts are provided symmetrically along both edges of the tape, but this is not essential. For example they could be provided only along one edge or cuts A and C could be provided along one edge with cuts B (which do not interact with cut A) being provided alone or with a cut A along the other edge.

The application sequence for the tape is as follows. First a length of tape is unwound from the boxed roll and, using one of the cuts B, is torn off using the edge of the box as a guide, as shown in Figure 4. Then the workman decides where on the pipe or duct he wishes to locate the legend for optimum convenience and visibility. Having done that he removes the backing from the zone of the legend by tearing back tab 5, as described above and shown in Figure 5, and sticks the legend part of the tape in the desired position. If the tape is provided with flow arrows these are aligned in the correct direction at this stage. In the absence of arrows the tape can be either way up as the legends are printed both ways up.

When the tab 5 has been torn back it leaves an indent in the edge of the tape with the remaining edge outside as shown in Figure 3. This enables the corners 6 of the edge adjacent the indent to be picked up in turn as shown in Figure 6 and pulled backwards thus peeling the backing from the tape to each side of the legend allowing the remaining part of the tape to be stuck to the pipe.

The above sequence may be varied. For example if the length of tape required is difficult to estimate a legend near the end of the tape may be secured in place and the rest of the tape measured round the pipe before being torn from the roll.

Particular advantages of the invention are elimination of the need to carry the cutting tool, accurate location of the legend part of the tape and ease of removal of the backing layer.

Various modifications to the tape and cut arrangements are possible. For example the cuts may be continuous, as shown, or comprise perforations or other discontinuous cuts. Cuts C may extend to intersect with the cut A, but not beyond.

For the tab 5, defined by cuts A and C, to be effective it is only necessary for there to be a smooth tape edge which will not tear as the backing tears. As described earlier this smooth edge is provided by that part of the cut A between the pair of cuts C. Indeed, in one possible modification the cut A need only exist in the vicinity of the legend, although that would result in the final tape, minus backing, having the shape shown in Figure 3.

A particularly preferred alternative is to provide a tape that has the release backing extending beyond the tape edge, in effect in Figure 2 line A defining the edge of the top plastics layer rather than a cut. Cuts C then define the tab 5 and extend only through the backing. Cuts B in this instance preferably extend through the backing and into the edge of the top layer. As an alternative, cuts B may be provided on the other edge of the tape with the top layer extending the full width of the backing at that edge.

It will be appreciated that the legend location by preferential removal of a portion of the backing may also find useful application in other areas than pipeline marking.

Claims (13)

CLAMS

1. A self adhesive tape comprising a top layer and a peelable backing, the top layer having defined along at least a portion of at least one side of the tape a secondary edge inwardly of the edge of the peelable backing and at least one pair of transversely extending cuts in the tape extending from the edge of the peel able backing at most up to said secondary edge to define at least one tab portion enabling removal of a transverse strip of backing from the tape.

2. A self adhesive tape according to claim 1 in which the secondary edge in the top layer comprises a cut in the top layer.

3. A self adhesive tape according to claim 1 in which the secondary edge comprises the actual edge of the top layer.

4. A self adhesive tape according to any preceding claim in which the secondary edge extends along the entire length of the tape.

5. A self adhesive tape according to any preceding claim in which the secondary edge extends only in the vicinity of tab portions, defined by a pair of said transversely extending cuts.

6. A self adhesive tape according to any preceding claim in which the top layer carries different marking in the region of said tab.

7. A self adhesive tape according to any preceding claim further comprising second transverse cuts at intervals along the tape, said second transverse cuts extending through the top layer a short distance beyond the line of said secondary edge to constitute a tear start for tearing the tape.

8. A self adhesive tape according to any of claims 1 to 6 further comprising second transverse cuts at intervals along the tape at edge portions not having a top layer secondary edge, said second transverse cuts extending through the top layer to constitute a tear start for tearing the tape.

9. A self adhesive tape according to claim 7 or claim 8 in which the second transverse cuts also extend through the backing layer.

10. A self adhesive tape according to any preceding claim in which any of said cuts comprise continuous cuts.

11. A self adhesive tape according to any of claims 1 to 10 in which any of said cuts comprise discontinuous cuts.

12. A self adhesive tape according to any preceding claim provided in a dispensing box having a rigid edge against which the tape can be cooperatively engaged to facilitate tearing.

13. A self adhesive tape substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.