GB2350572A

GB2350572A - Adhesive tape

Info

Publication number: GB2350572A
Application number: GB9913033A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul James Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-05
Filing date: 1999-06-05
Publication date: 2000-12-06
Also published as: AU5087400A; GB9913033D0; WO2000075256A1

Abstract

An adhesive tape e.g. a masking tape, comprises a layer of tape 4 with adhesive on one side, a guide layer 10 releaseably adhered to the opposite side of the tape, the guide layer overlapping at least one edge of the tape so as to extend past the edge of the tape. . A peelable backing layer 6 can be releaseably adhered to the side of the adhesive tape opposite to the side adhered to the guide layer. The guide layer assists in the positioning of the tape at a constant spacing from a surface. Preferably, the guide layer extends at least about 4mm, for example 9mm or 11mm, from the edge of the adhesive tape. Typically, the adhesive 12 which releaseably adheres the guide layer to the tape has lower adhesive strength than the adhesive 8 which releasably adheres the peelable backing layer onto the tape. Thus, after the peelable backing layer is removed and the tape is positioned on a surface with the aid of the guide layer, the guide layer can be easily removed without dislodging the tape from the surface.

Description

2350572 1 ADHESIVE TAPE This invention relates to adhesive tape. More

especially, but not in particular, this invention relates to adhesive tape which can be accurately positioned and so, for example, aid in accurately directing surface treatments such as filler or mastic. This invention also relates to a method of applying such tape to a surface.

The application of filler, mastic or sealant to any household surface, for example, around a bath, is greatly facilitated by the use of masking tape. Masking tape not only protects surrounding surfaces from the treatment but also delimits a neat and accurate area in which the treatment can be applied. When the masking tape is removed subsequent to the application of the treatment, the treatment is restricted to the required area and can have a regular and controlled boundary.

Unfortunately, adhesive tape, such as masking tape, is notoriously difficult to apply in a controlled manner, for example, at a regular distance above or around a surface. Thus, it is common for users to trust a steady hand and apply a treatment directly to a surface, rather than spend an excessive period of time making sure that the masking tape is accurately positioned.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an adhesive tape which can be accurately and speedily positioned on a surface, for example, prior to a surface treatment.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides an adhesive tape 2 comprising:- (a) a layer of tape with adhesive on one side; (b) a guide layer releaseably adhered to the opposite side of the tape, the guide layer overlapping at least one edge of the tape so as to extend past the edge of the tape.

In a further aspect, the invention provides an adhesive tape comprising:(a) a layer of double-sided adhesive tape; (b) a guide layer releaseably adhered to one side of the tape, the guide layer overlapping at least one edge of the tape so as to extend past the edge of the tape.

Preferably, a peelable backing layer is releaseably adhered to the side of the adhesive tape opposite to the side adhered to the guide layer. The backing layer protects the tape from damage or accidental adhesion to the wrong surface.

The adhesive layer on the side of the tape opposite to the side adhered to the guide layer, may comprise fluid-activated adhesive.

The arrangement of the invention means, that in use, the guide layer can assist in the positioning of the tape at a constant spacing from a surface.

Preferably, the guide layer extends at least about 4mm from the edge of the adhesive tape, for example, the guide layer may extend about 9mm or 11 mm from the edge of the adhesive tape.

The guide layer may be made from plastics or paper materials. Preferably, the guide layer is of greater stiffness than the adhesive tape or backing layer to assist in the positioning of the tape.

3 Typically, the adhesive which releaseably adheres the guide layer to the tape has lower adhesive strength than the adhesive which releasably adheres the peelable backing layer onto the tape. Thus, after the peelable backing layer is removed and the tape is positioned on a surface with the aid of the guide layer, the guide layer can be easily removed without disiddging the tape from the surface.

In one embodiment, the tape is masking tape.

In still a further aspect, the invention provides a method of positioning adhesive tape on a surface using one of the tapes as defined hereinabove, the method comprising the steps of:- (a) removing the peelable backing layer from the tape; (b) positioning the tape against a surface, using the guide layer to maintain the tape at a constant distance from a second surface; and (c) removing the guide layer from the tape.

In yet a further aspect, the invention provides a method of positioning adhesive tape on a surface, the adhesive tape comprising a guide layer releaseabiy adhered to a side of the tape, the guide layer overlapping at least one edge of the tape so as to extend past the edge of the tape, the method comprising the steps of:- (a) positioning the tape against a surface, using the guide layer to maintain the tape at a constant distance from a second surface; and (b) removing the guide layer from the tape.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrammatic drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an exploded view of the multi-layer structure of the tape in accordance with the invention; and, 4 Figures 2 to 6 illustrate the steps involved in the method of positioning the tape shown in Figure 1 onto a surface, in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a tape structure 2 in accordance with the invention, comprising a marker tape 4 having attached to one side a peelable backing layer 6 releaseably adhered to the marker tape 4 by an adhesive layer 8. On the other side of the marker tape 4 a guide layer 10 is releaseably adhered to the tape 4 by adhesive 12. The adhesive 12 is weaker than the adhesive 8. The guide layer 10 extends past the tape 4 by a distance 14.

In use, the backing layer 6 is removed from the marker tape 4 (see Figure 2). Until then the backing layer serves to protect the adhesive layer 8. The marker tape 4 is then adhered to a wall 16 by the adhesive layer 8. The marker tape 4 is positioned on the wall 16 using the guide layer 10. The guide layer ensures that the tape is kept at a constant distance of 9mm from a corner 17. As shown in figure 4, the guide layer is then removed to leave only the marker tape 4 in position. The removal of the guide tape is facilitated by the relatively weaker nature of the adhesive layer 12.

This process can, if desired, be repeated on the other wall 1 6a, leading to corner 17.

Once the marker tape 4 is in position, it may act as masking tape to delimit a mastic treatment. Mastic 18 can be applied in the space between the surface and the marker tape 4. The marker tape 4 can then be removed to leave a clean and accurate application of mastic behind. Any spillages of uneven patches of mastic will be removed when the marker tape 4 is removed form the surface 16.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of certain embodiments of the invention and that minor modifications may be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the claims.

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Claims

1 An adhesive tape comprising:- (a) a layer of tape with adhesive on one side; (b) a guide layer releaseabiy adhered to the opposite side & the tape, the guide layer overlapping at least one edge of the tape so as to extend past the edge of the tape.

2. An adhesive tape comprising:- (a) a layer of double-sided adhesive tape; (b) a guide layer releaseably adhered to one side of the tape, the guide layer overlapping at least one edge of the tape so as to extend past the edge of the tape.

3. An adhesive tape as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a peelable backing layer is reieaseably adhered to the side of the adhesive tape opposite to the side adhered to the guide layer.

4. An adhesive tape as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adhesive layer on the side of the tape opposite to the side adhered to the guide layer, comprises fluid-activated adhesive.

5. An adhesive tape as claimed any one of the preceding claims wherein the guide layer extends at least about 4mm from the edge of the adhesive tape.

6. An adhesive tape as claimed in claim 5 wherein the guide layer extends about 9mrn or 11 mm from the edge of the adhesive tape.

7. An adhesive tape as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the guide layer is made from plastics or paper materials.

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8. An adhesive tape as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the guide layer is of greater stiffness than the adhesive tape or backing layer to assist in the positioning of the tape.

9. An adhesive tape as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adhesive which releaseably adheres the guide layer to the tape has lower adhesive strength than the adhesive which releasably adheres the peelable backing layer onto the tape.

10. An adhesive tape as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adhesive tape is masking tape.

11. An adhesive tape substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of positioning adhesive tape on a surface using one of the tapes as defined hereinabove, the method comprising the steps of:- (a) removing the peelable backing layer from the tape; (b) positioning the tape against a surface, using the guide layer to maintain the tape at a constant distance from a second surface; and (c) removing the guide layer from the tape.

13. A method of positioning adhesive tape on a surface, the adhesive tape comprising a guide layer releaseably adhered to a side of the tape, the guide layer overlapping at least one edge of the tape so as to extend past the edge of the tape, the method comprising the steps of:- (a) positioning the tape against a surface, using the guide layer to maintain the tape at a constant distance from a second surface; and (b) removing the guide layer from the tape.

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14. A method of positioning adhesive tape on a surface substantially as hereinbefore defined in claim 12 or claim 13 and with reference to the accompanying drawings.