WO2019150325A1

WO2019150325A1 - Self-wound, linerless, double-faced adhesive masking tape

Info

Publication number: WO2019150325A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/050837
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph T. Bartusiak
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2018-02-01
Filing date: 2019-02-01
Publication date: 2019-08-08

Abstract

A roll of self-wound, linerless, double-faced adhesive masking tape, including at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on a first major surface of the tape and at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on a second major surface of the tape, the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive being transversely-offset and non-overlapping with each other.

Description

SELF- WOUND, LINERLESS, DOUBLE-FACED ADHESIVE MASKING TAPE

Background

Masking tapes have found common use for masking surfaces e.g. in applications such as painting and surface finishing. Double-faced adhesive masking tapes, in particular, have found use e.g. in instances in which it is desired to use a masking tape to hold a protective sheet in addition to masking a surface.

Summary

In broad summary, herein is disclosed a roll of self-wound, linerless, double-faced adhesive masking tape, comprising at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on a first major surface of the tape and at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on a second major surface of the tape. The at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive are transversely-offset and non-overlapping with each other. Also disclosed are methods of making such tapes. These and other aspects will be apparent from the detailed description below. In no event, however, should this broad summary be construed to limit the claimable subject matter, whether such subject matter is presented in claims in the application as initially filed or in claims that are amended or otherwise presented in prosecution.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front-side perspective view of an exemplary self-wound, linerless, double-faced adhesive masking tape.

Fig. 2 is a front view of an unwound end of an exemplary self-wound, linerless, double-faced adhesive masking tape, viewed directly along the longitudinal axis of the masking tape.

Fig. 3 is a front view of an unwound end of another exemplary masking tape.

Fig. 4 is a front view of an unwound end of another exemplary masking tape.

Fig. 5 is a front view of an unwound end of another exemplary masking tape.

Fig. 6 is a front view of an unwound end of another exemplary masking tape.

Fig. 7 is a front view of another exemplary masking tape.

Fig. 8 is schematic view of a process for disposing a stripe of adhesive on the first major surface of a tape backing and then transferring the stripe of adhesive to the second, opposing major surface of the tape backing.

Like reference numbers in the various figures indicate like elements. Some elements may be present in identical or equivalent multiples; in such cases only one or more representative elements may be designated by a reference number but it will be understood that such reference numbers apply to all such identical elements. Unless otherwise indicated, all figures and drawings in this document are not to scale and are chosen for the purpose of illustrating different embodiments of the invention. In particular the dimensions of the various components are depicted in illustrative terms only, and no relationship between the dimensions of the various components should be inferred from the drawings, unless so indicated. Directions such as outward and inward are defined with respect to a tape backing of a tape, with outward indicating a direction (along the thinnest dimension of the backing; i.e. along the thickness direction of the backing) generally away from the tape backing and with inward indicating a direction toward the interior of the tape backing. Directions such as transversely inward and transversely outward are respectively inward and outward with respect to a transverse centerline that is laterally centered on the tape backing and that extends longitudinally down the tape backing. Although terms such as "top”, bottom”,“upper”, lower”,“under”,“over”,“front”,“back”,“up” and“down”, and“first” and“second” may be used in this disclosure, it should be understood that those terms are used in their relative sense only unless otherwise noted.

As used herein as a modifier to a property or attribute, the term“generally”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means that the property or attribute would be readily recognizable by a person of ordinary skill but without requiring a high degree of approximation (e.g., within +/- 20 % for quantifiable properties). The term“substantially”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within +/- 10% for quantifiable properties). The term“essentially” means to a very high degree of approximation (e.g., within plus or minus 2 % for quantifiable properties; it will be understood that the phrase“at least essentially” subsumes the specific case of an“exact” match. However, even an“exact” match, or any other characterization using terms such as e.g. same, equal, identical, uniform, constant, and the like, will be understood to be within the usual tolerances or measuring error applicable to the particular circumstance rather than requiring absolute precision or a perfect match. All references herein to numerical parameters (dimensions, ratios, and so on) are understood to be calculable (unless otherwise noted) by the use of average values derived from a number of measurements of the parameter.

Detailed Description

Disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 in exemplary embodiment is a roll of self-wound, linerless, double- faced adhesive masking tape 1. By a double-faced adhesive tape is meant that tape 1 comprises a backing 2 with a first major side 3 and a second major side 4, with at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe 100 of pressure-sensitive adhesive being present in a first elongate area 31 of first major surface 30 of backing 2, and with at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe 200 of pressure-sensitive adhesive being present in a first elongate area 41 of second major surface 40 of backing 2. That is, tape 1 will comprise at least one exposed stripe of adhesive on a first major surface of the tape backing and at least one exposed stripe of adhesive on a second, oppositely-facing major surface of the backing.

By an“exposed” longitudinal stripe of a pressure-sensitive adhesive is meant an elongate stripe of adhesive that extends along the longitudinal axis of tape backing 2 (such a longitudinal axis is indicated by axis L of Fig. 2) and that comprises an outward surface that, when the tape is unwound, is exposed rather than being covered or obscured by any layer (e.g. a release layer) that would prevent the outward adhesive surface from bonding to a desired substrate. For example, longitudinal stripe 100 as shown in Fig. 2 exhibits an exposed outward adhesive surface 102 (in addition to an inward adhesive surface 101 that is in contact with first major surface 30 of backing 2). Longitudinal stripe 200 similarly exhibits an exposed outward adhesive surface 202 (in addition to an inward adhesive surface 201 that is in contact with second major surface 40 of backing 2).

The at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe 100 of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe 200 of pressure-sensitive adhesive are located on opposite sides (i.e., on first and second major sides) of the tape backing when the tape is unwound, as is evident from Figs. 1 and 2. By definition, the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe 100 of pressure- sensitive adhesive and the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe 200 of pressure-sensitive adhesive are non-overlapping with each other. By this is meant that the at least one first adhesive stripe 100 and the at least one second adhesive stripe 200 are transversely (laterally) offset from each other so that no portion of either stripe overlaps any portion of the other stripe, when tape 1 is viewed along a direction aligned with the shortest dimension (i.e. the thickness dimension) of the tape. (Such a viewing direction will be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of tape 1 and to the transverse axis T of tape 1, and corresponds to an up-down direction in the view of Fig. 2). Such a transversely -offset, non overlapping arrangement provides that when tape 1 is wound into roll form as shown e.g. in Fig. 1, the respective stripes of adhesive 100 and 200 on the opposite sides of backing 2 will not come into contact with each other.

Such an arrangement provides that when a terminal end of the roll of tape 1 is unwound from the roll, it will present an appearance of the general type depicted in Fig. 2. At least one adhesive-free longitudinal area (stripe) 33 will be present in a remaining longitudinal portion of first major surface 30 of backing 2 that is not occupied by adhesive stripe 100; and, at least one adhesive-free longitudinal area (stripe) 43 will be present in a remaining longitudinal portion of the second major surface 40 of backing 2 that is not occupied by adhesive stripe 200. Not only will areas 33 and 43 not comprise a pressure- sensitive adhesive disposed thereon, they will be treated or otherwise arranged to comprise a release surface 34 and 44. In other words, areas 33 and 43 are non-adherable areas, meaning that any pressure- sensitive adhesive that comes into contact with the surface of the area will be suitably releasable from the surface rather than adhesively bonding to the surface.

These arrangements provide that when tape 1 is wound into a self-wound roll, outward major adhesive surface 102 of first adhesive stripe 100 will come into contact with non-adherable area 43 of second major surface 40 of the tape backing; and, outward major adhesive surface 202 of second adhesive stripe will come into contact with non-adherable area 33 of first major surface 30 of the tape backing. Areas 33 and 43 respectively bearing release surfaces 34 and 44 as noted above, outward major surfaces 102 and 202 of adhesives 100 and 200 will not adhere to areas 43 and 33 but rather will be suitably detachable therefrom. Thus, at a desired time, an end of roll of tape 1 can be unrolled to a desired extent (e.g. as shown in Fig. 1) to facilitate detaching a discrete piece of double-faced adhesive tape from the roll. The discrete piece of adhesive tape will comprise a first exposed adhesive surface 102 on a first major side of the tape and a second exposed adhesive surface 202 on a second, opposite major side of the tape. This can facilitate e.g. bonding the first major side of the discrete piece of adhesive tape to a surface (e.g. a wall surface) and/or the bonding of a separate item (e.g. a poly sheet) to the second, opposite major side of the discrete piece of adhesive tape.

Inward adhesive surfaces 101 and 201 of first and second adhesive stripes 100 and 200 will be, and will remain, adhesively bonded to areas 31 and 41 of major surfaces 30 and 40. For such purposes, areas 31 and 41 will respectively comprise adherable surfaces 32 and 42. By an adherable surface is meant a surface to which a pressure-sensitive adhesive will bond so that the adhesive is not removable therefrom without damaging or destroying the adhesive and/or the adherable surface itself. In some embodiments an adherable surface may be provided as-is by a major surface of tape backing 2, e.g. if tape backing 2 is made of a material whose surface is adequately bondable by a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In other embodiments, an adherable surface may be provided by a separate layer (e.g. a primer or tie layer) or treatment that is provided on the desired area of the major surface of the tape backing, for this purpose. Such a separate layer or treatment may be e.g. a coated layer or an extruded layer, may be e.g. a surface treatment such as corona, plasma or flame treatment, and so on. (It is noted in passing that an item, e.g. a poly sheet or film, that is to be bonded to the non-wall side of the masking tape, can be treated by any such adhesion-enhancing treatment, e.g. corona treatment, if desired.)

The arrangements disclosed above allow that roll of tape 1 can be a self-wound, linerless roll, by which is meant a roll that is wound directly upon itself without the inclusion of any kind of release liner that is co-wound with the roll.

In some embodiments, a transverse offset may be present between transversely inward edge 104 of adhesive stripe 100, and transversely inward edge 204 of adhesive stripe 200, as shown in exemplary embodiment in Fig. 2. Such an offset arrangement may be achieved e.g. by providing an adhesive-free area 35 of first side of backing 2, and an adhesive-free area 45 of second side of backing 2, with at least portions of the two adhesive-free areas being in overlapping relation with each other, to provide a gap between the transversely-inward edges 104 and 204 of the adhesive stripes. Such a gap can ensure that no portion of a first-side adhesive stripe 100 comes into contact with a second-side adhesive stripe 200, when tape 1 is self- wound into a linerless roll.

In various embodiments, the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe 100 of pressure- sensitive adhesive and the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of the second pressure-sensitive adhesive may collectively occupy at least about 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95 % of the total area (length x width) of the tape backing. In various embodiments, the exposed stripes of first and second adhesive may collectively occupy no more than 99.8, 99.4, 99.0, 98.5, 98.0, 97.0, or 96.0 % of the total area of the tape backing. In many embodiments, the exposed stripes of adhesive may collectively occupy substantially the entirety of the total area of the tape backing except for one or more adhesive-free overlapping gaps of the type described above.

In some embodiments, a transversely outward edge 103 of a first adhesive stripe 100 of adhesive may be positioned within e.g. 2.0, 1.0, 0.5, or 0.2 mm of a transverse edge (e.g. edge 5) of tape backing 2. Similarly, in some embodiments, a transversely outward edge 203 of second longitudinal stripe 200 of adhesive may be positioned within e.g. 2.0, 1.0, 0.5, or 0.2 mm of a transverse edge (e.g. edge 6) of tape backing 2. In some embodiments, the transversely outward edges of adhesive stripes may be at least substantially aligned with transverse edges of tape backing 2, e.g. as in the exemplary design of Fig. 2.

In some embodiments, the at least one first stripe 100 of pressure-sensitive adhesive, present on the first major side 3 of tape backing 2, may be of the same composition as the at least one second stripe 200 of pressure-sensitive adhesive, present on the second major side 4 of tape backing 2. In other embodiments, the at least one first stripe of adhesive may be of a different composition than the at least one second stripe of adhesive.

The above discussions have all concerned a simple, exemplary arrangement in which the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive is exactly one stripe 100; similarly, in which the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure -sensitive adhesive is exactly one stripe 200, both as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. However, many other arrangements are possible. For example, Fig. 3 presents an exemplary arrangement in which the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on a first major side 3 of tape backing 2, takes the form of exactly two stripes (100 and 100’). In the depicted embodiment, stripes 100 and 100’ transversely bracket an adhesive-free area 33 (e.g. an area that has been treated to comprise a release surface 34) of first major surface 30. The second major side 4 of tape backing 2 comprises exactly one exposed second longitudinal stripe 200 of pressure-sensitive adhesive, with the adhesive stripe 200 being transversely centered on tape backing 2 and being in overlapping relation with adhesive-free area 33 of the first major side of the tape. In the depicted embodiment, the exposed second longitudinal stripe 200 of pressure-sensitive adhesive is transversely bracketed by adhesive-free areas 43 (each of which may comprise a release surface 44).

In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 3, a longitudinal adhesive stripe (e.g., stripes 100 and 100’) is provided along each transverse (edge) portion of the first side of tape 1, with the transversely outward edge of each adhesive stripe being positioned in close proximity to a transverse edge of the tape backing 2. In many convenient embodiments, such a first side 3 of the tape may be designated as a wall-contacting side of masking tape 1. The presence of the adhesive (e.g. stripes 100 and 100’) along one or both transverse edges of the wall side of the tape may at least substantially prevent paint from wicking underneath the tape (when the tape is applied to a wall) and thus may contribute to superior paint lines. (It is noted that terms such as wall and wall-contacting are used generically, and refer to the side of the masking tape that is intended to be adhesively attached to any surface that is to be masked whether the surface is e.g. a vertical wall, a horizontal ceiling or floor, a counter, a window-sill, and so on.) In some embodiments, the at least one second longitudinal adhesive stripe 200 on the second major side 4 of the tape, may be used e.g. to hold a protective film (e.g. poly sheeting to protect large areas, furniture, etc.); in such cases it may not necessarily be as important for the second adhesive stripe to extend to a transverse edge of the tape. If desired, in some embodiments the at least one first stripe of pressure- sensitive adhesive and/or the at least one second stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive may comprise a suitable pigment, ink or coloring agent, e.g. so that the wall-facing side of the double-faced tape may be designated and distinguished.

In general, in some embodiments a roll of tape 1 as disclosed herein may comprise a first side with n stripes of adhesive, and a second side with (n-l) stripes of adhesive. In many embodiments, the n stripes of adhesive may include stripes that are positioned along transverse edges of the tape, e.g. as in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 4 in particular is an exemplary design in which n = 3 and (n-l) = 2. That is, the first side 3 of the tape comprises three adhesive stripes; 100, 100’ and 100”; the second side 4 comprises two adhesive stripes; 200 and 200”. It will be appreciated that n may take on any suitable integer value. The various stripes may be separated by intervening adhesive-free (e.g., release-treated) areas in the general manner described above.

It will be appreciated that the exemplary designs shown e.g. in Figs. 1-4 are generic

representations and can be achieved through any desired combination of the use of components such as pressure-sensitive adhesive layers, release layers, coatings or treatments, adhesion-promoting treatments or coatings, and so on. For example, Fig. 5 presents an arrangement (in which a single stripe of adhesive is present on each major side of the tape backing) in which a first release layer 300 is disposed (e.g. coated) on first major side 3 of tape backing 2. In some embodiments such a release layer 300 may be disposed at least generally or substantially across the entire transverse width of the first major side, as in the exemplary depiction of Fig. 5. An exposed outward surface of release layer 300 provides the aforementioned release surface 34 of non-adherable area 33 of first major surface 30 of tape backing 2. However, in an area 31 to which at least one first adhesive stripe 100 is desired to be bonded, a coating, treatment or the like, that negates the release properties of the outward surface of release layer 300, will be applied. Such a treatment (e.g. a primer coating or the like) will in fact render this area able to be adhesively bonded by inward surface 101 of adhesive 100. That is, such a treatment will provide that area 31 comprises an adherable surface 32 to which adhesive stripe 100 can bond.

Similarly, a second release layer 301 may be disposed on second major side 4 of tape backing 2, e.g. across the entire transverse width of this major side. In an area 43 of second major surface 40, the exposed outward surface of release layer 301 provides a release surface 44, while in area 41, a coating or treatment or the like that negates the release properties of the outward surface of release layer 301 is applied, so as to provide area 41 with an adherable surface 42 to which inward surface 201 of adhesive stripe 200 can bond. It will thus be appreciated that when a tape of the type shown in Fig. 5 is self-wound upon itself, outward surface 102 of the first adhesive stripe 100 of the first major side of the tape will contact the release surface 44 of area 43 of the second major side of the tape; similarly, outward surface 202 of the second adhesive stripe 200 of the second major side of the tape will contact the release surface 34 of area 33 of the first major side of the tape. These adhesive surfaces will be easily detachable from the respective release surfaces when the time comes to unroll the tape to remove a discrete tape article therefrom. If desired, the widths and placements of the adhesive stripes may be chosen so as to leave a transverse offset between transversely inward edges of the adhesive stripes, as is evident in Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 presents an arrangement (again in which a single stripe of adhesive is present on each major side of the tape backing) in which a first adhesive stripe 100 is disposed e.g. generally or substantially across the entire transverse width of first major side 3 of tape backing 2. A release layer 400 can then be disposed (e.g. coated) on the outward surface of a portion of adhesive stripe 100, with a transversely -adjacent portion of adhesive stripe 100 remaining exposed. Such arrangements will cause that adhesive surface 102 in area 31 of the first major side of tape backing 2, is exposed so as to provide the at least one first exposed stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive referred to earlier. The presence of release layer 400 provides a remaining area of this first major side of the tape backing, that is non- adherable.

Similarly, a second adhesive stripe 200 may be disposed e.g. across the entire transverse width of second major side 4 of tape backing 2. A release layer 401 is then disposed on the outward surface of a portion of adhesive stripe 200. Such arrangements will provide that adhesive surface 202 in area 41 of the first major side of tape backing 2, is exposed so as to provide the at least one second exposed stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive referred to earlier. The presence of release layer 401 provides a remaining area of this second major side of the tape backing, that is non-adherable.

It will thus be appreciated that when a tape of the type shown in Fig. 6 is self-wound upon itself, outward surface 102 of the first adhesive stripe 100 of the first major side of the tape, will contact the release surface 44 of area 43 of the second major side of the tape; similarly, outward surface 202 of the second adhesive stripe 200 of the second major side of the tape, will contact the release surface 34 of area 33 of the first major side of the tape. These adhesive surfaces will be easily detachable from these release surfaces when the time comes to unroll the tape to remove a discrete tape article therefrom. As evident from Fig. 6, the transversely-inward edges of release layers 400 and 401 can be transversely overlapped to provide a suitable transverse offset between the transversely-inward edges of the exposed adhesive stripes.

Fig. 7 presents another alternative approach in which a release layer 500 is disposed (e.g. stripe- coated) on a portion of first major surface 30 of first major side of tape backing 2, and in which an exposed first adhesive stripe 100 is disposed on another portion of first major surface 30. That is, in such an approach neither the release layer nor the pressure-sensitive adhesive need necessarily be disposed across the entire transverse width of the tape backing. Similarly, another release layer 501 may be disposed on a portion of second major surface 40 of second major side of tape backing 2, with an exposed second adhesive stripe 200 disposed on another portion of second major surface 40.

Release layer 501 may be disposed in overlapping relation with adhesive stripe 100; and release layer 500 may be disposed in overlapping relation with adhesive stripe 200, so that when the tape is self wound, adhesive surface 102 of adhesive 100 comes into detachable contact with release surface 44 of release layer 501 and adhesive surface 202 of adhesive stripe 200 comes into detachable contact with release surface 34 of release layer 500. It will thus be appreciated that when a tape of the type shown in Fig. 7 is self-wound upon itself, outward surface 102 of the first adhesive stripe 100 of the first major side of the tape will contact the release surface 44 of area 43 of the second major side of the tape; similarly, outward surface 202 of the second adhesive stripe 200 of the second major side of the tape will contact the release surface 34 of area 33 of the first major side of the tape. These adhesive surfaces will be easily detachable from these release surfaces when the time comes to unroll the tape to remove a discrete tape article therefrom. In such a configuration (as in any of the previously-described configurations), if appropriate an adhesion-promoting treatment, coating or layer may be applied to, or disposed on, area 31 of the first major side of tape backing 2, and/or area 41 of the second major side of tape backing 2, so that these areas are adherable areas that are able to be bonded to by the respective adhesive stripes.

(Depending on the particular composition of tape backing 2 and the resulting adherability or non- adherability of the outward surface of the tape backing, such arrangements may or may not be needed.)

As evident from Fig. 7, the transversely-inward edges of the first and second adhesive stripes 100 and 200 may be transversely offset from each other; in addition, the transversely-inward edges of the first and second release layers 500 and 501 may be arranged in overlapping fashion if desired.

It will be appreciated that any of the specific approaches and configurations that are presented e.g. in Figs. 5-7, may be used to provide an overall arrangement that includes any desired number and arrangement of adhesive stripes, release layers, etc. That is, such approaches may be used to produce a double-faced adhesive masking tape e.g. of any of the general types depicted in Figs. 1-4. It will be appreciated that often, adhesive layers may be provided at a relatively large thickness (e.g. 25-100 microns) in comparison to a release layer, which are often provided at a relatively small thickness (e.g. 1- 25 microns). Accordingly, e.g. even if at least some of the various adhesive layers, release layers, and/or primer layers are coated as stripes that only extend partially across the width of the masking tape, such layers, and any gaps therebetween, can be arranged so that the total thickness of the masking tape is sufficiently uniform across the width of the masking tape.

In some embodiments, at least one exposed first adhesive stripe may be disposed (e.g. by coating) on a first major side of a tape backing, and at least one exposed second adhesive stripe may be disposed (e.g. by coating) on a second, opposing side of the tape backing, in the manufacture of tape 1. However, in some convenient embodiments, all such adhesive stripes may be initially coated on the same side of the tape backing, followed by a selected stripe or stripes being transferred to the opposite side of the tape backing. In other words, an arrangement e.g. of the type shown in Fig. 7 does not necessarily have to be produced by coating a second adhesive stripe 200 onto the opposite side of the tape backing as first adhesive stripe 100. Rather, an approach exemplified by the process flow shown in Fig. 8 can be used. As evident in the upper portion of Fig. 8, first and second non-overlapping stripes of release layers 500 and 501 can be disposed (e.g. coated) on first and second major sides 3 and 4 of a tape backing 2. Then, a first adhesive stripe 100 can be disposed onto an adherable area 31 of the first major side 3; and, a second adhesive stripe 200 can be disposed onto release surface 34-comprising area 33 of the first major side 3. This can provide an intermediate assembly of the type shown in the upper portion of Fig. 8. When this assembly is wound into a self-wound roll, major surface 201 of second adhesive stripe 200 will contact adherable area 41 of the second major side of the tape. Surface 201 will then bond to area 41 of the second major side of the tape, and surface 202 will release from release surface 34 of area 33 of the first major side of the tape. The adhesive stripe 200 will thus transfer from its initial configuration as shown in the upper portion of Fig. 8, to a final configuration as shown in the lower portion ofFig. 8. Since the winding process will cause the outward surface 102 of adhesive stripe 100 to contact release surface 44 of area 43 of the second side of the backing, adhesive stripe 100 will remain bonded to adherable surface 32 of area 31 of the first side of the backing, rather than transferring to the second side of the backing.

In other words, a secondary winding/transferring process of this general type can result in the formation of an arrangement of the general type shown in Fig. 7, without the necessity of coating adhesive stripes on opposite sides of the tape backing. It will be appreciated that disposing (e.g. coating) adhesive stripes onto one side of a tape backing (followed by transferring selected stripes to the opposite side of the backing) may offer advantages e.g. in ease of coating operations and/or in terms of enabling excellent control over the dimensions (e.g. thickness) of the various adhesive stripes. It will also be appreciated that the transferring of a selected adhesive stripe or stripes may occur during a

winding/rewinding operation (e.g. as part of slitting a jumbo into individual tape rolls). However, in some embodiments the actual transferring of a selected adhesive stripe may not actually occur e.g. until the roll of tape is unwound (e.g. by an end user) to facilitate the removal of a discrete length of tape therefrom.

The above discussions also make it clear that, while a final roll of tape in the form in which it is to be used by an end user may have e.g. only a few, or even a single, adhesive stripe on each major surface thereof, such a final roll of tape may be obtained by slitting of a jumbo which has numerous adhesive stripes on each major surface thereof. That is, the processing described herein may be performed on a wide-width jumbo that has numerous adhesive stripes on each major surface thereof, after which the jumbo may be slit into individual rolls of tape each comprising a desired arrangement of adhesive stripes.

It will also be appreciated that if desired, areas 31 and/or 41 of the first and second sides of the tape backing, may be treated, primer-coated, or the like, to ensure that these areas respectively comprise an adherable surface that is able to be bonded by the pressure -sensitive adhesive that is used. Still further, it will be appreciated that in various embodiments any such coating of e.g. various primers, release layers, and/or pressure-sensitive adhesives may be performed in sequence, with the tape backing being e.g. stored until such time as it is desired to apply the next coating or perform the next treatment. However, in some convenient embodiments, any or all such processes may be performed in-line, in a single operation. That is, a processing line may comprise multiple in-line coating stations, e.g. for purposes of coating primer layers, release layers, and pressure-sensitive adhesive stripes.

Tape backing 2 may be made of any suitable material. Non-limiting examples of potentially suitable materials that may serve as a tape backing include paper (including both flat or smooth paper as well as textured paper such as crepe paper), natural or synthetic polymer films, nonwovens made from natural and/or synthetic fibers and combinations thereof, fabric reinforced polymer films, fiber or yam reinforced polymer films or nonwovens, and multiple layer laminated constructions.

In some embodiments, tape backing 2 may be comprised of an organic polymeric material, e.g. a plastic material. In various embodiments, tape backing 2 may be a monolithic plastic material or a multilayer plastic material. In some embodiments tape backing 2 may be a thermoplastic material, e.g. a melt-processable (e.g. extrudable) material. Any such backing may be made from, or include, any of a variety of materials. Homopolymers, copolymers and blends of polymers may be useful, and may contain a variety of additives. Suitable thermoplastic polymers may include, for example, polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene; polystyrene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, acrylate-modified ethylene vinyl acetate polymers, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, nylon, polyvinylchloride, and engineering polymers such as polyketones or polymethylpentanes.

Mixtures of such polymers may also be used. Any such plastic material may optionally comprise one or more of processing aids, plasticizers, antioxidants, colorants, pigments, and so on. Any such material may comprise one or more inorganic (e.g., particulate mineral) fillers, which may include e.g. calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc, silica, titanium dioxide, glass fibers, glass bubbles, and the like.

As noted, at least a portion of first major surface 30 and/or at least a portion of second major surface 40 of tape backing 2 may comprise a layer, coating, treatment, etc., that will enhance the ability of a pressure-sensitive adhesive to bond thereto. In other words, such a layer or treatment will cause a desired portion of a major surface of tape backing 2 to be an adherable surface as discussed earlier herein. By definition, an adherable layer or treatment does not encompass a release layer (specifically, such a layer or treatment does not encompass a release layer comprising e.g. silicone-containing polymers, fluorinated polymers, fluorosilicone-containing polymers, or the like). Processes that result in an adherable surface may include surface treatments such as e.g. corona treatment, plasma treatment, flame treatment, or the like; or, deposition (e.g., coating) of a primer layer or tie layer, and so on. Different portions of major surfaces 30 and/or 40 may receive the same treatment, or different treatments, as desired. Any such primer layer or tie layer may comprise a composition chosen to enhance the ability of a particular pressure-sensitive adhesive to bond to the primer layer or tie layer. From the discussions herein it will be appreciated that concepts such as e.g. a pressure-sensitive adhesive being present on, disposed on, etc., a major surface of a tape backing, broadly encompasses situations in which the adhesive is present on a surface of a layer (e.g. a primer layer, tie layer, release layer, etc.) that is itself disposed on the major surface of the tape backing. That is, the adhesive does not necessarily have to be in direct contact with the major surface of the tape backing.

As noted, a release layer may be provided on at least a portion of first major surface 30 and/or of second major surface 40. (One circumstance in which a release surface need not necessarily be provided as part of a layer that is disposed atop the backing, would be an instance in which a particular pressure- sensitive adhesive exhibits excellent release from a major surface of tape backing 2; in such a case the major surface of tape backing 2 could serve as the release surface.) A release layer can be of any suitable composition. The composition of a release layer on a first surface (or along a portion of the first surface) of tape backing 2 may be the same as, or different from, the composition of a release layer on the second, opposing surface of tape backing 2. The composition of any such release layer or layers may be chosen (e.g., in combination with the composition of the pressure-sensitive adhesive(s) used) to provide an appropriate level of release so that tape 1 can be unwound from roll form as desired.

A release layer or treatment that is disposed (e.g. coated) onto a major surface of a tape backing is often referred to in the art as a low adhesion backsize. General categories of exemplary materials which may be suitable for inclusion in a release layer/ low adhesion backsize include e.g. (meth)acrylic polymers, urethane polymers, vinyl ester polymers, vinyl carbamate polymers, fluorine-containing polymers, silicone-containing polymers, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a release layer may comprise the reaction product of (meth)acrylic monomers, oligomers, and the like, noting that this general category encompasses any ester or nitrile of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Suitable materials of this type include, but are not limited to, octadecyl acrylate, acrylic acid, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate and acrylonitrile. The corresponding (meth)acrylate of any of these materials may be likewise used. Any other vinyl monomers (e.g., that are copolymerizable with (meth)acrylic monomers) may also be included, e.g. N-vinyl pyrrolidone, styrene, acrylamide, vinyl acetate, and so on. In some embodiments, a release layer may comprise a composition comprising long alkyl side chain polymers (e.g., containing 12-22 carbon atoms in the side chains) attached e.g. to a (meth)acrylic backbone, as exemplified e.g. by the reaction product of octadecyl acrylate, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and methyl acrylate.

In some embodiments, a release layer may comprise a silicone -containing material. In various embodiments, such materials may comprise a silicone backbone with non-silicone (e.g., (meth)acrylate) side chains; a non-silicone (e.g., (meth)acrylate) backbone with silicone side chains; a copolymer backbone comprising silicone units and non-silicone (e.g., (meth)acrylate) units; and the like. Silicone- polyurea materials, silicone-polyurea-polyurethane materials, silicone -poly oxamide materials, siloxane- iniferter-derived compositions, and the like, may also be suitable. In a certain embodiments, a silicone- containing material of a release layer may comprise a reaction product of a vinyl-functional silicone macromer of any general type or specific formula disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0138025, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In various embodiments, any of the above silicone-containing materials (e.g. silicone macromers) may be used in combination with meth(acrylic) monomers and/or with any other vinyl monomers.

Release layers (e.g. low adhesion backsizes) can be made by any of the well-known methods for making such materials. In some embodiments, a low adhesion backsize composition that is formulated in an organic solvent may remain in an organic solvent solution until it is deposited onto a substrate;

however, in some cases it may be convenient to invert the low adhesion backsize into a water-borne dispersion from which it may then be deposited onto a substrate. (Strictly speaking, such a composition in solvent or water may be referred to as a low adhesion backsize precursor which may be deposited onto a substrate, with the solvent, water, etc. then being removed to form the low adhesion backsize/ release layer). Procedures for inverting a solvent-borne low adhesion backsize (precursor) are outlined e.g. in U.S. Patent 5032460 to Kantner et ah, in the section entitled Waterborne Release Coatings. Any such release material can be disposed (e.g., as a layer) on a major side of tape backing 2, e.g. by using a coating apparatus. Any such apparatus may rely on e.g. solvent coating methods, water-borne coating methods, or hot melt coating methods, e.g. knife coating, roll coating, reverse roll coating, gravure coating, wire wound rod coating, slot orifice coating, slot die coating, extrusion coating, or the like. In many cases such processes may involve the deposition of a low adhesion backsize (precursor) onto a major side of tape backing 2 and then transforming the precursor into the actual low adhesion backsize (release coating) e.g., by removal of solvent or water, by curing or crosslinking, and so on.

As noted, at least one first stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive is provided on the first major side of backing 2 and at least one second stripe of pressure -sensitive adhesive is provided on the second major side of backing 2. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is normally tacky at room temperature and can be adhered to a surface by application of, at most, light finger pressure and thus may be distinguished from other types of adhesives that are not pressure-sensitive. A general description of useful pressure-sensitive adhesives may be found in the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Vol. 13, Wiley- Interscience Publishers (New York, 1988). Additional description of useful pressure-sensitive adhesives may be found in the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, Vol. 1, Interscience Publishers (New York, 1964). Any suitable composition, material or ingredient can be used in such a pressure- sensitive adhesive. Pressure-sensitive adhesives often utilize one or more thermoplastic elastomers, e.g. in combination with one or more tackifying resins.

General categories of exemplary materials which may be suitable for use in a pressure-sensitive adhesive include e.g. elastomeric polymers based on (e.g., the reaction product of) acrylate and/or methacrylate materials, natural or synthetic rubbers, block copolymers, silicones, and so on. (As used herein, terms such as (meth)acrylate, (meth(acrylic), and the like, refer to both acrylic/acrylate, and methacrylic/methacrylate, monomer, oligomers, and polymers derived therefrom). Suitable polymers and/or monomer units therein may include, but are not limited to: polyvinyl ethers, polyisoprenes, butyl rubbers, polyisobutylenes, polychloroprenes, butadiene-acrylonitrile polymers, styrene-isoprene, styrene- butylene, and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers, ethylene-propylene-diene polymers, styrene- butadiene polymers, styrene polymers, poly-alpha-olefms, amorphous polyolefins, polysiloxanes, ethylene vinyl acetates, polyurethanes, silicone-urea polymers, silicone -urethane polymers,

polyvinylpyrrolidones, and any combinations thereof. Examples of suitable (meth)acrylic materials include polymers of alkyl acrylate or methacrylate monomers such as e.g. methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, iso-octyl acrylate, iso-nonyl acrylate, 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate, decyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, octadecyl acrylate, octadecyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and combinations thereof. Examples of suitable commercially available block copolymers include those available under the trade designation KRATON from Kraton Polymers, Houston, TX. Any of these or other suitable materials may be used in any desired combination.

In various embodiments, any suitable tackifying resin or combination thereof may be used if desired. Suitable tackifying resins may include e.g. wood rosins and hydrogenated derivatives thereof, tall oil rosins, terpene resins, phenolic resins, polyaromatics, petroleum-based resins, (e.g. aliphatic C5 olefin- derived resins) and so on. Those of ordinary skill will appreciate the variety of tackifying resins that are available, and will further appreciate that some elastomers may be self-tacky and thus may require little or no added tackifying resin. Additionally, a pressure-sensitive adhesive can contain additives such as plasticizers, fillers, antioxidants, stabilizers, pigments, and the like. Additional information on materials (thermoplastic elastomers, tackifying resins, and other additives) which may find use in a pressure- sensitive adhesive may be found e.g. in US Patent 6632522 to Hyde et ah, which extensively discusses such materials and which is incorporated by reference herein for this purpose.

In certain embodiments, a pressure-sensitive adhesive may be natural-rubber-based, meaning that a natural rubber elastomer or elastomers make up at least about 20 wt. % of the elastomeric components of the adhesive (not including any filler, tackifying resin, etc.). In further embodiments, the natural rubber elastomer makes up at least about 50 wt. %, or at least about 80 wt. %, of the elastomeric components of the adhesive. In some embodiments, the natural rubber elastomer may be blended with one or more block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., of the general type available under the trade designation KRATON from Kraton Polymers, Houston, TX). In specific embodiments, the natural rubber elastomer may be blended with a styrene-isoprene radial block copolymer), in combination with natural rubber elastomer, along with at least one tackifying resin. In particular embodiments, a pressure-sensitive adhesive may be, or include, any of the adhesive types and compositions disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0170362, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. As noted earlier herein, in some embodiments, the at least one first stripe 100 of pressure- sensitive adhesive, present on the first major side 3 of tape backing 2, may be of the same composition as the at least one second stripe 200 of pressure-sensitive adhesive, present on the second major side 4 of tape backing 2. In other embodiments, the at least one first stripe of adhesive may be of a different composition than the at least one second stripe of adhesive. In particular, the first-side and second-side adhesive compositions may differ e.g. if one side is designated to be bonded to a surface (e.g. a wall surface) to be masked. In such cases, the adhesive(s) present on that side may be specially chosen e.g. for their ability to bond to various surfaces, to release from such surfaces without causing damage, and so on.

A pressure-sensitive adhesive can be disposed (e.g., as a layer) on a major surface side of tape backing 2 e.g. by using a coating apparatus. In many cases such a process may involve the deposition of a pressure-sensitive adhesive (precursor) onto a major surface of tape backing 2 (noting that such a process encompasses the particular circumstance of depositing the adhesive precursor on a major surface of e.g. a primer layer that itself resides atop the major surface of tape backing 2) and then transforming the precursor into a pressure-sensitive adhesive e.g., by removal of solvent or water, by curing or crosslinking, etc. The deposition of a pressure-sensitive adhesive can be in-line in the same process as the deposition of a release layer and/or of a primer (or the performing of any surface treatment). Or, it can be done off-line, in a separate process. Such deposition of a pressure-sensitive adhesive can be performed by any suitable apparatus and method, including e.g. solvent coating methods, water-borne coating methods, or hot melt coating methods, e.g. knife coating, roll coating, reverse roll coating, gravure coating, wire wound rod coating, slot orifice coating, slot die coating, extrusion coating, or the like.

It will be appreciated that in at least some embodiments, a pressure-sensitive layer that is disposed on a surface by coating may exhibit slightly different morphology and/or adhesive bonding characteristics (e.g. shear strength, peel strength, creep resistance, clean release, etc.) on the two major surfaces thereof. That is, the morphology and/or properties of the major surface of the adhesive that was initially contacted with a solid surface (e.g. a smooth surface of a release layer) and remained in contact with the solid surface during the process of solidifying the adhesive, may differ from the morphology and/or properties of an opposing major surface of the adhesive that was in contact with air during the process of solidifying the adhesive. Such phenomena may occur with any type of coating/solidifying process, e.g. with adhesives that are solvent coated with subsequent evaporation of solvent, with adhesives that are coated as a water-borne dispersion or suspension with subsequent evaporation of water, or with adhesives that are hot-melt coated at an elevated temperature and are then cooled and solidified.

It will be appreciated that such differences may, for example, allow an adhesive stripe that was coated and solidified on a release surface of one major side/surface of a tape backing, and was then transferred to an adherable surface of the other, opposing major side/surface of the tape backing, to be distinguished from an adhesive stripe that was coated and solidified on the adherable surface rather than having been transferred thereto. In the latter case, the exposed surface of the adhesive stripe (upon unwinding the tape) will be a surface that was an air-exposed surface during solidification of the adhesive; in the former case, the exposed surface of the adhesive stripe will be a surface that was in contact with the release surface during solidification. In at least some such cases (e.g. in which the release surface was a substantially smooth surface) the air-exposed surface of the resulting adhesive may e.g. exhibit a higher surface roughness than the adhesive surface that was maintained in contact with the release surface during solidification. Moreover, any pressure-sensitive adhesive precursor composition that is multiphasic (e.g. containing one or more of e.g. fillers, emulsified droplets, microspheres, micelles, or the like) may exhibit different phase morphology at the two opposing major surfaces of the resulting adhesive. From such considerations, it will be apparent that a“transferred” stripe of adhesive as disclosed herein may be readily identifiable by those of skill in the art, and in particular may be distinguished from a“directly-coated” stripe of adhesive, based on the properties of the major surfaces of the stripe.

It will be still further appreciated that in some embodiments a difference in the adhesive properties of the opposing major surfaces of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer resulting from such phenomena may be used to advantage. That is, e.g. even if adhesive stripes of the exact same composition are used, stripes that were transferred may exhibit at least slightly altered adhesive behavior from stripes that were not transferred. Leverage of such phenomena may allow, for example, the providing of different adhesive properties on a wall-side of a double-faced masking tape, from those of an opposite side (e.g. a side to which a poly sheet is to be bonded) of the masking tape.

Tape 1 made as disclosed herein may be conveniently provided in the form of a roll as shown in exemplary manner in Fig. 1. As emphasized previously, tape 1, and any roll formed therefrom, is linerless. By this is meant that tape 1 as provided to an end user is not supplied in combination with any kind of release liner (e.g., a paper or plastic fdm liner that bears a release surface, whether supplied by the liner itself or by a coating thereupon) that is co-wound with tape 2. That is, the roll of tape 1 is a self wound roll that is wound directly upon itself with an outward surface of a first-side pressure-sensitive adhesive in releasable contact with a release surface of a second-side release layer of the tape backing 2; and, with an outward surface of a second-side pressure-sensitive adhesive in releaseable contact with a release surface of a first-side release layer of the same tape backing 2, as discussed earlier herein in detail. By releasable contact is meant that each pressure-sensitive adhesive is adhered to a release surface of a release layer to a sufficient degree to collectively provide roll 1 with adequate mechanical integrity to acceptably maintain the form of a roll (that is, so that the roll does not unroll from its self-wound condition too easily), but so that the collective adhesive force between the pressure-sensitive adhesives and the release surfaces is low enough that the adhesives can be released from the release surfaces without unacceptable force being necessary and without unacceptably damaging the adhesive or debonding the adhesive from the backing itself. The release properties of a given tape 1 may be gauged by way of the force required to unwind tape 1 from its self-wound condition. In various embodiments tape 1 may comprise an unwind force of at least 2, 4, or 9 ounces of force per inch width of tape (0.22, 0.44, or 0.99 N/cm width of tape). In further embodiments, tape 1 may comprise an unwind force of at most 25, 21, or 16 ounces of force per inch width of tape (2.75, 2.31, or 1.76 N/cm width of tape). The width of tape 1 may be any convenient value, e.g. from a minimum of e.g. at least 1.0, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cm, to a maximum of at most 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 or 5 cm.

Various components, ingredients, treatments, and so on (e.g. pressure-sensitive adhesives, primers or treatments serving to provide adherability, release layers/low adhesion backsizes, and so on) that may be usefully included in a self-wound, linerless, double-faced adhesive masking tape as described herein, are described and discussed in detail in various documents, e.g. in U.S. Patents 4629663,

5145718, 5154962, 5350631 and 8318303; and, in U.S. Patent Application Publications 2013/004749 and 2016/264824, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. In some embodiments, tape 1 may comprise a barrier inducing treatment e.g. of the general type disclosed in U.S. Patent 8833295, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In order to use tape 1, a terminal portion of the tape may be unwound and detached from a roll of the tape. Once the length of tape is thus obtained, it can be applied and adhered to a desired portion of a surface to be masked. Alternatively, a terminal portion of the tape may, while still attached to a roll 1, be applied and adhered to a desired portion of a surface and then a remaining portion of the elongate length of the tape (e.g., the roll of tape itself) may be manipulated (e.g., twisted and/or moved) so that the non- adhered portion of the tape is at least generally transversely tom in a location e.g. near the closest point at which the tape is adhered to the surface. Both of these methods are well known to those of skill in the art. Tape 1 having been applied to a desired portion of a surface (and, if desired, a protective sheeting such as e.g. a poly film having been bonded to an exposed adhesive provided on the tape as discussed earlier herein), adjacent portions of surfaces can then be painted as desired (the term paint is used broadly herein and encompasses any coating, primer, varnish, lacquer, and the like). At any suitable time (e.g., after the paint has dried to a desired extent), tape 1 can then be removed from the surface. Tape 1 may of course be used for other masking or protective functions even if such functions do not necessarily involve the use of paint.

List of Exemplary Embodiments

Embodiment 1 is a roll of self-wound, linerless, double-faced adhesive masking tape, comprising: an elongate tape backing that is in roll form and that comprises a longitudinal axis and a first major surface and a second, opposing major surface; at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive present in a first longitudinal portion of the first major surface and at least one adhesive-free longitudinal stripe present in a remaining longitudinal portion of the first major surface; and, at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure -sensitive adhesive present in a first longitudinal portion of the second major surface and at least one adhesive-free longitudinal stripe present in a remaining longitudinal portion of the second major surface; wherein the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive are transversely-offset and non-overlapping with each other.

Embodiment 2 is the roll of tape of embodiment 1 wherein there is exactly one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the first major surface and wherein there is exactly one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the second, opposing major surface; and, wherein the exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive collectively occupy from about 80 % to about 98 % of a total area of the tape backing.

Embodiment 3 is the roll of tape of embodiment 1 wherein there are exactly two exposed first longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the first major surface and wherein there is exactly one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure adhesive on the second, opposing major surface; and, where the two exposed first longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive transversely bracket an adhesive-free transversely -central longitudinal stripe of the first major surface; and, wherein the two exposed first longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive collectively occupy from about 80 % to about 98 % of a total area of the tape backing.

Embodiment 4 is the roll of tape of embodiment 1 wherein there are exactly (n) exposed first longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the first major surface and wherein there is exactly (n-l) exposed second longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the second, opposing major surface; and, wherein the (n) exposed first longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the (n-l) exposed second longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive collectively occupy from about 80 % to about 98 % of a total area of the tape backing, and wherein (n) is at least 3.

Embodiment 5 is the roll of tape of any of embodiments 1-4 wherein the at least one adhesive- free longitudinal stripe that is present in the remaining longitudinal portion of the first major surface comprises a non-adherable surface. Embodiment 6 is the roll of tape of embodiment 5 wherein the non- adherable surface is a release surface. Embodiment 7 is the roll of tape of embodiment 6 wherein the release surface is provided by a release layer that is disposed on an outward surface of the first major surface of the tape backing or on an outward surface of a primer layer that is disposed on the first major surface of the tape backing.

Embodiment 8 is the roll of tape of embodiment 6 wherein the release surface is provided by a release layer that is disposed on an outward surface of a non-exposed longitudinal stripe of pressure- sensitive adhesive.

Embodiment 9 is the roll of tape of any of embodiments 1-8 wherein the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive present in a first longitudinal portion of the first major surface, is disposed on an adherable surface of the tape backing. Embodiment 10 is the roll of tape of embodiment 9 wherein the adherable surface of the tape backing is chosen from the group consisting of an outward surface of a primer layer that is disposed on the first major surface of the tape backing, a plasma-treated surface, a flame-treated surface, and a corona- treated surface.

Embodiment 11 is the roll of tape of any of embodiments 1-10 wherein the roll of tape comprises at least one adhesive-free elongate area of the second major surface of the tape backing that is in overlapping relation with an adhesive-free elongate area of the first major surface of the tape backing, so as to provide an elongate gap between a transversely-inward edge of the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive present in the first longitudinal portion of the first major surface and a transversely-inward edge of the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure- sensitive adhesive present in the first longitudinal portion of the second major surface.

Embodiment 12 is the roll of tape of any of embodiments 1-11 wherein the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive present in a first longitudinal portion of the first major surface is disposed on an elongate, adherable area of the first major surface; and wherein the at least one adhesive-free longitudinal stripe present in a remaining longitudinal portion of the first major surface comprises a release layer that extends along the elongate extent of the tape backing and that spans at least a portion of a transverse width of the adhesive-free longitudinal stripe.

Embodiment 13 is the roll of tape of embodiment 12 wherein the elongate, adherable area of the first major surface is provided by an outward surface of a primer coating; and, wherein the release layer is a release coating. Embodiment 14 is the roll of tape of any of embodiments 1-13 wherein the tape backing is a paper backing. Embodiment 15 is the roll of tape of any of embodiments 1-14 wherein the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising at least one elastomeric polymer that is a reaction product of acrylate and/or methacrylate materials.

Embodiment 16 is a method of making a roll of self-wound, linerless, double-faced adhesive masking tape, the method comprising: disposing at least one first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on an elongate, adherable area of a first major surface of an elongated tape backing; disposing at least one second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on an elongate, non-adherable area of the first major surface of the elongated tape backing; winding the elongated tape backing to bring an outward major surface of the at least one first longitudinal stripe of pressure -sensitive adhesive into contact with an elongate, non-adherable area of a second major surface of the elongated tape backing and to bring an outward major surface of the at least one second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive into contact with an elongate, adherable area of the second major surface of the elongate tape backing, causing the at least one second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive to adhesively bond to the elongate, adherable area of the second major surface of the elongate tape backing while the at least one first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive remains adhesively bonded to the elongate, adherable area of the first major surface of the elongated tape backing.

Embodiment 17 is the method of embodiment 16 wherein the method includes coating a primer layer onto a portion of the first major surface of the elongated tape backing to form the elongate, adherable area of the first major surface of the elongated tape backing and coating a primer layer onto a portion of the second major surface of the elongated tape backing to form the elongate, adherable area of the second major surface of the elongated tape backing.

Embodiment 18 is the method of any of embodiments 16-17 wherein the method includes coating a release layer onto a portion of the first major surface of the elongated tape backing to form the elongate, non-adherable area of the first major surface and coating a release layer onto a portion of the second major surface of the elongated tape backing to form the elongate, non-adherable area of the second major surface.

Embodiment 19 is the roll of tape of any of embodiments 1-15, made by the method of any of embodiments 16-18.

Embodiment 20 is the roll of tape of any of embodiments 1-15, wherein the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive is a transferred stripe of adhesive, and wherein the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive is not a transferred stripe of adhesive.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific exemplary elements, structures, features, details, configurations, etc., that are disclosed herein can be modified and/or combined in numerous embodiments. All such variations and combinations are contemplated by the inventor as being within the bounds of the conceived invention, not merely those representative designs that were chosen to serve as exemplary illustrations. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the specific illustrative structures described herein, but rather extends at least to the structures described by the language of the claims, and the equivalents of those structures. Any of the elements that are positively recited in this specification as alternatives may be explicitly included in the claims or excluded from the claims, in any combination as desired. Any of the elements or combinations of elements that are recited in this specification in open-ended language (e.g., comprise and derivatives thereof), are considered to additionally be recited in closed-ended language (e.g., consist and derivatives thereof) and in partially closed-ended language (e.g., consist essentially, and derivatives thereof). To the extent that there is any conflict or discrepancy between this specification as written and the disclosure in any document that is incorporated by reference herein but to which no priority is claimed, this specification as written will control.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A roll of self-wound, linerless, double-faced adhesive masking tape, comprising:

an elongate tape backing that is in roll form and that comprises a longitudinal axis and a first major surface and a second, opposing major surface;

at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure -sensitive adhesive present in a first longitudinal portion of the first major surface and at least one adhesive-free longitudinal stripe present in a remaining longitudinal portion of the first major surface;

and,

at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive present in a first longitudinal portion of the second major surface and at least one adhesive-free longitudinal stripe present in a remaining longitudinal portion of the second major surface;

wherein the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure -sensitive adhesive are transversely -offset and non-overlapping with each other.

2. The roll of tape of claim 1 wherein there is exactly one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the first major surface and wherein there is exactly one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the second, opposing major surface; and, wherein the exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive collectively occupy from about 80 % to about 98 % of a total area of the tape backing.

3. The roll of tape of claim 1 wherein there are exactly two exposed first longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the first major surface and wherein there is exactly one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure adhesive on the second, opposing major surface; and, where the two exposed first longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive transversely bracket an adhesive-free transversely -central longitudinal stripe of the first major surface; and, wherein the two exposed first longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive collectively occupy from about 80 % to about 98 % of a total area of the tape backing.

4. The roll of tape of claim 1 wherein there are exactly (n) exposed first longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the first major surface and wherein there is exactly (n-l) exposed second longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the second, opposing major surface; and, wherein the (n) exposed first longitudinal stripes of pressure -sensitive adhesive and the (n-l) exposed second longitudinal stripes of pressure-sensitive adhesive collectively occupy from about 80 % to about 98 % of a total area of the tape backing, and wherein (n) is at least 3.

5. The roll of tape of claim 1 wherein the at least one adhesive-free longitudinal stripe that is present in the remaining longitudinal portion of the first major surface comprises a non-adherable surface.

6. The roll of tape of claim 5 wherein the non-adherable surface is a release surface.

7. The roll of tape of claim 6 wherein the release surface is provided by a release layer that is disposed on an outward surface of the first major surface of the tape backing or on an outward surface of a primer layer that is disposed on the first major surface of the tape backing.

8. The roll of tape of claim 6 wherein the release surface is provided by a release layer that is disposed on an outward surface of a non-exposed longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive.

9. The roll of tape of claim 1 wherein the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure- sensitive adhesive present in a first longitudinal portion of the first major surface, is disposed on an adherable surface of the tape backing.

10. The roll of tape of claim 9 wherein the adherable surface of the tape backing is chosen from the group consisting of an outward surface of a primer layer that is disposed on the first major surface of the tape backing, a plasma-treated surface, a flame-treated surface, and a corona-treated surface.

11. The roll of tape of claim 1 wherein the roll of tape comprises at least one adhesive-free elongate area of the second major surface of the tape backing that is in overlapping relation with an adhesive-free elongate area of the first major surface of the tape backing, so as to provide an elongate gap between a transversely -inward edge of the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive present in the first longitudinal portion of the first major surface and a transversely -inward edge of the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive present in the first longitudinal portion of the second major surface.

12. The roll of tape of claim 1 wherein the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure- sensitive adhesive present in a first longitudinal portion of the first major surface is disposed on an elongate, adherable area of the first major surface; and wherein the at least one adhesive-free longitudinal stripe present in a remaining longitudinal portion of the first major surface comprises a release layer that extends along the elongate extent of the tape backing and that spans at least a portion of a transverse width of the adhesive-free longitudinal stripe.

13. The roll of tape of claim 12 wherein the elongate, adherable area of the first major surface is provided by an outward surface of a primer coating; and, wherein the release layer is a release coating.

14. The roll of tape of claim 1 wherein the tape backing is a paper backing.

15. The roll of tape of claim 1 wherein the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure- sensitive adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising at least one elastomeric polymer that is a reaction product of acrylate and/or methacrylate materials.

16. The roll of tape of claim 1, wherein the at least one exposed first longitudinal stripe of pressure- sensitive adhesive is a transferred stripe of adhesive, and wherein the at least one exposed second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive is not a transferred stripe of adhesive.

17. A method of making a roll of self-wound, linerless, double-faced adhesive masking tape, the method comprising:

disposing at least one first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on an elongate, adherable area of a first major surface of an elongated tape backing;

disposing at least one second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive on an elongate, non-adherable area of the first major surface of the elongated tape backing;

winding the elongated tape backing to bring an outward major surface of the at least one first longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive into contact with an elongate, non-adherable area of a second major surface of the elongated tape backing and to bring an outward major surface of the at least one second longitudinal stripe of pressure -sensitive adhesive into contact with an elongate, adherable area of the second major surface of the elongate tape backing, causing the at least one second longitudinal stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive to adhesively bond to the elongate, adherable area of the second major surface of the elongate tape backing while the at least one first longitudinal stripe of pressure- sensitive adhesive remains adhesively bonded to the elongate, adherable area of the first major surface of the elongated tape backing.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the method includes coating a primer layer onto a portion of the first major surface of the elongated tape backing to form the elongate, adherable area of the first major surface of the elongated tape backing and coating a primer layer onto a portion of the second major surface of the elongated tape backing to form the elongate, adherable area of the second major surface of the elongated tape backing.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the method includes coating a release layer onto a portion of the first major surface of the elongated tape backing to form the elongate, non-adherable area of the first major surface and coating a release layer onto a portion of the second major surface of the elongated tape backing to form the elongate, non-adherable area of the second major surface.