Abstract: Transforming machines for changing a strip of unopened bag precursors into open bag precursors are disclosed that include a drive motor, a separation station, a sensor electrically connected to a controller that is electrically connected to components of the separation station. The separation station includes a first roller, a separation roller driven by the drive motor, and a pressure device having an actuator selectively activating the pressure device to apply pressure to the strip of unopened bag precursors passing over the first roller. In operation, the controller, based on a signal from the sensor, determines when perforations are located in a gap between the pressure device and the separation roller and at that time signals the actuator to activate the pressure device, with the drive motor driving the separation roller, thereby separating the perforations in a first film layer, but not the perforations in a second film layer.

Abstract: Methods for changing a strip of sealed bag precursors in to open bags are disclosed. The apparatus used in the method is referred to as a transforming machine and includes a separation station and may include a perforation station and a piercing station. The perforation station forms a plurality of end perforations in the multiple layers of a strip of sealed bag precursors. The separation station separates the plurality of end perforations in at least one film layer of the trip to form a plurality of bag openings. The plurality of end perforation are torn by the separation station, which includes manipulating the rotation of a main roller, a pressure roller and at least one separation roller.

Abstract: Masking tapes that changes color when the tape is rubbed down or dispensed onto an adherend and methods of making such tapes are disclosed herein. The tape includes a backing, a layer of adhesive on the bottom surface of the backing, and a release structure on the top surface of the backing that includes a pressure-chromic indicator and a release layer. The pressure-chromic indicator is characterized in that it is not activated by the pressure applied during the manufacturing process, but is activated by the pressure applied when the tape is rubbed or dispensed onto an adherend.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for changing a strip of sealed bag precursors in to open bags are disclosed. The apparatus is referred to as a transforming or bag opening machine and includes a separation station and may include a perforation station and a piercing station. The perforation station forms a plurality of end perforations in the multiple layers of a strip of sealed bag precursors. The separation station separates the plurality of end perforations in at least one film layer of the trip to form a plurality of bag openings. The plurality of end perforation are torn by the separation station, which includes manipulating the rotation of a main roller, a pressure roller and at least one separation roller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape that includes a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto, and an edge coating applied to a masking edge of the tape. The substrate and the adhesive, together, define a first and a second masking edge of the tape. The edge coating includes a flocculating agent that is a polyvalent metal salt or an ionic polymer. The edge coating improves the ability of the tape to provide a sharp mask line after a paint, a varnish, a paint stripper, or other coating composition is applied to a surface where the tape is adhered.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape including a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto and an edge coating. The substrate and the adhesive together provide at least one masking edge where the edge coating is applied. The edge coating includes a lipophilic agent, a flocculating agent, or combinations thereof. The edge coating provides the tape with enhanced masking ability by preventing paints, varnishes, paint strippers, and other coating compositions from infiltrating the tape substrate or the interface between the tape and an adherend.

Abstract: Tape dispensers with an improved wetting system are disclosed. The tape dispensers include a holder for a roll of liquid-activatable tape, a wetting system that has a reservoir of liquid and a roller having an absorbable outer surface to absorb and dispense liquid, and a feeding mechanism that operatively feeds the liquid-activatable tape through the wetting system to wet the adhesive on the liquid-activatable tape. The roller is at least partially immersed in the reservoir of liquid and the wetting system includes a roller adjustment mechanism to simultaneously adjust an upward force applied by the roller to the liquid activated tape and an immersion depth of the roller into the reservoir of liquid. The wetting system may also include a pressure mechanism to adjust a downward force applied to the liquid activated tape as it passes over the roller.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive using a planetary roller extruder is described. The continuous process includes introducing at least one non-thermoplastic elastomer into a planetary roller extruder and initially compounding the non-thermoplastic elastomer in the planetary roller extruder to form an initially masticated non-thermoplastic elastomer. Then, a solid raw material, a liquid material, or both are introduced into the initially masticated non-thermoplastic elastomer in the planetary roller extruder, and subsequent compounding of the initially masticated non-thermoplastic elastomer with these additional components occurs to form an adhesive composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a roll of material with one hand is disclosed that includes a shaft having a core segment for supporting a roll of material and a handle segment that is integral with the core segment. The handle segment has an annular recess with a collar received therein. The apparatus includes a gripper received over the handle segment of the shaft. The gripper has a cylindrically shaped body defining an open center that has an open upper end and a closed lower end. The gripper is positioned on the handle segment with its open upper end between the collar and the core segment. The shaft is rotatable relative to the gripper and the gripper is hand-compressible to bring the gripper into frictional contact with the shaft to slow or stop the rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive using a modified planetary roller extruder is described. The process in accordance with one aspect of the invention is a continuous process that includes introducing primary raw materials comprising a non-thermoplastic elastomer into a planetary roller extruder, introducing a heat-activatable crosslinker into the planetary roller extruder for mixing with the primary raw materials, and compounding the primary raw materials and the heat activatable crosslinker to form an adhesive composition while maintaining the temperature of the adhesive composition between about 25° C. and about 100° C. The non-thermoplastic elastomer is masticated during compounding and at least some of the heat-activatable crosslinker remains generally unactivated and is available for later activation.

Abstract: Masking tapes that changes color when the tape is rubbed down or dispensed onto an adherend and methods of making such tapes are disclosed herein. The tape includes a backing, a layer of adhesive on the bottom surface of the backing, and a release structure on the top surface of the backing that includes a pressure-chromic indicator and a release layer. The pressure-chromic indicator is characterized in that it is not activated by the pressure applied during the manufacturing process, but is activated by the pressure applied when the tape is rubbed or dispensed onto an adherend.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape including a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto and an edge coating. The substrate and the adhesive together provide at least one masking edge where the edge coating is applied. The edge coating includes a lipophilic agent, a flocculating agent, or combinations thereof. The edge coating provides the tape with enhanced masking ability by preventing paints, varnishes, paint strippers, and other coating compositions from infiltrating the tape substrate or the interface between the tape and an adherend.

Abstract: A facing or backing, that comprises a laminated film including an outside layer, a core layer, and an inside layer; a scrim, a laminating extrudate and a metal foil wherein at least the laminated film has an opacity and stiffness similar to paper and contains a fire retardant. In one embodiment, the structures are designed to replace the traditional ASJ (all service jacket) and FSK (foil scrim kraft) paper laminations that are used in insulation facings and HVAC tapes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape that includes a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto, and an edge coating applied to a masking edge of the tape. The substrate and the adhesive, together, define a first and a second masking edge of the tape. The edge coating includes a flocculating agent that is a polyvalent metal salt or an ionic polymer. The edge coating improves the ability of the tape to provide a sharp mask line after a paint, a varnish, a paint stripper, or other coating composition is applied to a surface where the tape is adhered.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive using a modified planetary roller extruder is described. The process in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes introducing primary raw materials including a non-thermoplastic elastomer into a feeding section of the modified planetary roller extruder, conveying the raw materials from the feeding section to a compounding section of the modified planetary roller extruder, continuously mixing the primary raw materials in the compounding section to produce a homogeneous adhesive composition. The adhesive composition may be applied to a web-form material. The compounding section of the modified planetary roller extruder includes a main spindle surrounded by and intermeshed with a plurality of planetary spindles at least one of which is a double transversal mixing spindle having a plurality of back-cut helical flights.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a roll of material with one hand is disclosed that includes a shaft having a core segment for supporting a roll of material and a handle segment that is integral with the core segment. The handle segment has an annular recess with a collar received therein. The apparatus includes a gripper received over the handle segment of the shaft. The gripper has a cylindrically shaped body defining an open center that has an open upper end and a closed lower end. The gripper is positioned on the handle segment with its open upper end between the collar and the core segment. The shaft is rotatable relative to the gripper and the gripper is hand-compressible to bring the gripper into frictional contact with the shaft to slow or stop the rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer and more particularly adhesive using a recirculating loop reactor. In one embodiment the reactor includes one or more mixers to mix feed stock with the polymerized material recirculating in the reactor. In another embodiment a planetary roller extruder (PRE) may be used for this purpose. In still another embodiment, a combination of one or more static mixers and one or more PREs may be used.

Abstract: An improved polyethylene fabric comprises polyethylene fabric or yarn that is manufactured by mixing HDPE (typically in pellet form) with pellets of cyclic-olefin polymers (COCs) in a ratio of up to 40% by weight of the layer. This mixture is then extruded in ways known to those skilled in the art. The resulting HDPE has superior stress and strain characteristics over a wider range of pressures and temperatures than conventional HDPE. The improved polyethylene fabric of the present invention is useful in applications where structural integrity is required and where pressure and temperature are a factor. For example, improved HDPE scrims of the present invention can be used as the reinforcing structure for irrigation hose or building fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape including a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto and an edge coating. The substrate and the adhesive together provide at least one masking edge where the edge coating is applied. The edge coating includes a lipophilic agent, a flocculating agent, or combinations thereof. The edge coating provides the tape with enhanced masking ability by preventing paints, varnishes, paint strippers, and other coating compositions from infiltrating the tape substrate or the interface between the tape and an adherend.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape including a substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto and an edge coating. The substrate and the adhesive together provide at least one masking edge where the edge coating is applied. The edge coating includes a lipophilic agent, a flocculating agent, or combinations thereof. The edge coating provides the tape with enhanced masking ability by preventing paints, varnishes, paint strippers, and other coating compositions from infiltrating the tape substrate or the interface between the tape and an adherend.