Abstract: A continuous process for making a pressure-sensitive adhesive is disclosed. A mixture comprising natural rubber having a Mooney viscosity of 85 to 100, a tackifier, a filler, and 0.1 to 5 wt. % of an added C12-C24 fatty acid based on the amount of mixture is masticated in a first section of a single- or twin-screw extruder. Mastication of the mixture continues in at least one subsequent extruder section in the presence of additional tackifier. The product is a homogeneous, reduced-viscosity pressure-sensitive adhesive. The minor proportion of added C12-C24 fatty acid aids mastication of the rubber and enables high throughput without addition of peptizers. Duct tapes made from the adhesives display improved adhesion to steel, better adhesion bond strength, and enhanced seven-day clean removability from even difficult substrates such as marble or ceramic tile.

Abstract: An adhesive tape dispenser and applicator which folds one or both edges of tape being applied over upon themselves is constructed with an edge folding guide having a planar surface, two inwardly converging edges and tape guides cooperating to fold the edges of the tape. A method of threading tape onto a folding tape dispenser is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to tape dispensers that provide an easy to use locking mechanism for loading and unloading a roll of tape thereon. The dispenser includes a generally U-shaped frame with a pair of flexible sidewall arm portions that extend rearwardly in a generally side-by-side spaced apart relation. The dispenser includes inwardly facing opposed first and second hub portions that have a roll surface, a bottom surface, and an abutment surface, wherein the roll surface is configured to support the roll thereon. The frame also includes a pair of interlocking tabs disposed on the bottom surfaces hub portions. The tabs include a locking means for securing the hub portions together wherein the abutment surfaces of the first and second hubs are in direct contact.

Abstract: A display for tape products. The display includes at least x shelves disposed on a stand. At least y modules are provided, wherein y>x. Each module includes a plurality of interconnected frame channels. The modules comprise at least first modules including channels of a first width and second modules including channels of a second width. At least several of the modules include reversible generally U-shaped inserts configured for insertion into the channels. The U-shaped inserts provide a first open orientation suitable for receiving a generally cylindrical tape product and a second closed orientation suitable for supporting a rectangular tape product.

Abstract: An adhesive tape is provided comprising a duct tape having an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, a white ink printed on the non-adhesive surface of the duct tape, and a colored ink printed on top of the printed white ink. The white ink and the colored ink are digitally printed and UV curable. A self-wound roll of adhesive duct tape having digitally printed ink on the non-adhesive surface of the duct tape is also provided.

Abstract: A continuous process for making a pressure-sensitive adhesive is disclosed. A mixture comprising natural rubber having a Mooney viscosity of 85 to 100, a tackifier, a filler, and 0.1 to 5 wt. % of an added C12-C24 fatty acid based on the amount of mixture is masticated in a first section of a single- or twin-screw extruder. Mastication of the mixture continues in at least one subsequent extruder section in the presence of additional tackifier. The product is a homogeneous, reduced-viscosity pressure-sensitive adhesive. The minor proportion of added C12-C24 fatty acid aids mastication of the rubber and enables high throughput without addition of peptizers. Duct tapes made from the adhesives display improved adhesion to steel, better adhesion bond strength, and enhanced seven-day clean removability from even difficult substrates such as marble or ceramic tile.

Abstract: An applicator device for a film forming formulation and method of using the applicator device with a film forming formulation for obtaining sharp paint lines on textured surfaces is described. The applicator device comprises an applicator head having an adaptor and a supply reservoir having a neck for attachment to the adaptor of the applicator head. The applicator head comprises a brush comprised of aligned bristles with the bristles affixed in a brush retainer, a brush reservoir within the brush retainer for holding the film forming formulation within the applicator head, a flow orifice to provide flow of the film forming formulation to the brush reservoir, and an adaptor for attachment to a neck of the supply reservoir for supplying the film forming formulation.

Abstract: An adhesive tape is provided comprising a duct tape having an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, a white ink printed on the non-adhesive surface of the duct tape, and a colored ink printed on top of the printed white ink. The white ink and the colored ink are digitally printed and UV curable. A self-wound roll of adhesive duct tape having digitally printed ink on the non-adhesive surface of the duct tape is also provided.

Abstract: A duct tape and a method of making a duct tape having a customized, printed design on a surface of the duct tape. The method comprises providing a design for printing on the duct tape, digitally printing the design on the surface of the duct tape, and curing the ink printed on the duct tape with ultraviolet light in dual stages. The method further comprises applying on the digitally printed duct tape a material or composition having overcoat properties, release properties, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A corrugator system for corrugating metallic foil tape. The corrugated metallic foil tape made by the system is suitable to be applied to contoured or three-dimensional surfaces, and is particularly suitable for use in sealing or joining components of heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.

Abstract: An adhesive tape comprising a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and an adhesive applied to the top or the bottom surface of the substrate. The adhesive comprises a tackifying resin. The tackifying resin comprises a rosin resin, a rosin resin derivative, a terpene resin, a heat reactive phenolic resin, a petroleum-based resin, or a combination thereof. Rosin resin derivatives include a rosin ester, a rosin metal salt, a hydrogenated rosin ester, a partially hydrogenated rosin, or a combination thereof. In another aspect, the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the adhesive tape is a masking tape. The adhesive tape is particularly suitable for adhesion to surfaces painted with paint having low or no volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing adhesion of an adhesive tape to a bonding surface under an applied load includes a test surface of a predetermined configuration to which a test tape may be adhered, a clamping device for grasping a free edge of the test tape, a guide for constraining the clamping device to move linearly relative to the test surface, and an actuator arrangement for driving the clamping device along the guide at a selected speed and with a selected force to apply the force to the test tape. The actuator arrangement includes a first and second linear actuators operable to generate differing ranges of force values, a motor for driving the linear actuators, and a selector arrangement for connecting the motor alternately to the first and second linear actuators according to the selected force to be applied.

Abstract: An adhesive tape comprising a transparent or semi-transparent substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one non-linear shaped masking edge, the bottom surface of the substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto, and a liner affixed to the adhesive layer. The shaped masking edge of the adhesive layer has a treatment material applied thereto. The liner is optionally a split liner. The method for making the adhesive tape having a shaped edge comprises obtaining a tape comprised of a transparent or semi-transparent substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one non-linear shaped edge, the bottom surface of the substrate having an adhesive layer applied thereto, and applying a liner to the adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the substrate to form a combined tape structure.

Abstract: A metallic foil tape having a top surface and a bottom surface with an adhesive applied to at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the metallic foil tape and corrugations in the metallic foil tape providing for expansion of the corrugated metallic foil tape in a circular or semi-circular shape. The corrugated metallic foil tape is suitable to be applied to contoured or three-dimensional surfaces, and is particularly suitable for use in sealing or joining components of heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.

Abstract: A container for packaging a product for retail display includes a base defining a product containment area with an annular rim defining an opening into the containment area and a lid mated to the rim for selective attachment to and detachment from the rim for opening and closing access into the containment area. At least one leg, preferably a pair of legs, is connected outwardly to the base adjacent the rim for supporting the assembled base and lid for self-standing on a substantially horizontal retail display surface with the base and the lid in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A metallic foil tape having a top surface and a bottom surface with an adhesive applied to at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the metallic foil tape and corrugations in the metallic foil tape providing for expansion of the corrugated metallic foil tape in a circular or semi-circular shape. The corrugated metallic foil tape is suitable to be applied to contoured or three-dimensional surfaces, and is particularly suitable for use in sealing or joining components of heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.

Abstract: A corrugator system for corrugating metallic foil tape. The corrugated metallic foil tape made by the system is suitable to be applied to contoured or three-dimensional surfaces, and is particularly suitable for use in sealing or joining components of heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.

Abstract: A film forming formulation and applicator device for use with the film forming formulation for obtaining sharp paint lines on textured surfaces is described. The formulation comprises a binder as a film forming component. The binder is selected from the group consisting of acrylic, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The binder comprises at least 90 percent by weight of the formulation.