Adhesive tape for masking

Abstract

An absorbent edge coating for masking tape and other masking materials is herein disclosed. A masking tape according to the present invention comprises a substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one masking edge. The bottom surface of the substrate has an adhesive layer applied thereto. An absorbent edge coating is applied to at least one masking edge of the substrate so as to at least substantially prevent liquids addressed to the at least one coated masking edge from being absorbed into the substrate of the tape and from passing between the bottom surface of the tape and a surface to which the tape has been applied.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 138,683, filed May 3, 2002, titled “ADHESIVE TAPE FOR MASKING”, which is commonly assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an improved adhesive tape having an edge coating. [0003] More specifically, the present invention relates to an edge coating for masking tape and masking materials that improves the masking ability of those materials. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Adhesive tapes for masking are typically comprised of a paper substrate having an adhesive layer applied to a bottom surface thereof. In addition, some masking tapes have an upper, liquid-resistant, or liquid-proof layer applied to an upper surface of the substrate. A persistent problem with masking tapes of this type is that the tape is typically only partially successful in defining a clean masking edge or boundary be...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The objects of the present invention are realized in a masking tape having a substrate with a top surface, a bottom surface, a first edge, and a second edge. The bottom surface of the substrate has an adhesive layer applied thereto and at least one of the edges of the substrate, also referred to as a masking edge, has an absorbent edge coating that substantially prevents liquids addressed thereto from being absorbed into the substrate of the tape and from passing between the bottom surface of the tape and a surface to which the tape has been applied. The edge coating is preferably a super absorbent polymer and has an absorbency that is greater than that of the substrate of the tape. In this manner, the edge coating reduces or substantially prevents the absorption of liquids into the substrate and also prevents the movement of the liquids beneath the tape. The super absorbent polymers of the edge coating also absorb and retain excess liquids addressed to the coated edge in such a manner as to retard the curing of the liquids. By retarding the curing of the liquids at the edge of the substrate, the absorbent edge coating facilitates the clean release of the tape from the surface to which it has been applied and from the remaining liquid applied to the surface.

[0009] In one embodiment, the substrate of the tape is fashioned of a paper product such as a paper crepe ribbon though it is envisioned that the tape may also be fashioned from polyethylene, polyester, or other synthetic materials as well. To further prevent the absorption of the liquids into the substrate of the tape, in another embodiment a liquid resistant layer may be applied to the top surface of the substrate of the tape. In yet another embodiment, a liquid-proof layer applied to the top surface of the substrate of the tape.

[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention may be characterized as an improved masking tape for defining a boundary between a masked area of a surface and an unmasked area of the surface. Such a masking tape comprises an elongate substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one masking edge. An adhesive layer is applied to the bottom surface of the substrate for adhering the masking tape to the surface. An absorbent edge layer is also applied to at least one masking edge of the substrate to at least substantially prevent or minimize liquids applied to the unmasked area of the surface from moving past the boundary on the surface that is defined by the at least one edge of the substrate to which the absorbent edge layer is applied. Preferably the absorbent edge layer will be a super absorbent polymer capable of absorbing water, oil based paint, latex paint, stains, glazes, dyes, cleaning compounds, strippers, and solvents. Furthermore, the absorbent edge layer applied to the at least one masking edge is able to absorb and retain liquids applied thereto in such a manner as to retard the curing of the liquid located at the boundary.

[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention may also be embodied in various masking materials used to define a boundary between a masked area of a surface and an unmasked area of the surface. Such masking materials comprise a substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, at least one edge, an adhesive layer applied to at least a portion of the bottom surface of the substrate for adhering the masking material to the surface, and an absorbent edge layer that is applied to the at least one edge of the substrate. The absorbent edge layer at least substantially prevents liquids applied to the unmasked area of the surface from moving past the boundary on the surface that is defined by the at least one edge of the substrate to which the absorbent edge layer is applied. Again, its is preferred that the absorbent edge layer be made of a super absorbent polymer. These super absorbent polymers absorb and retain liquids applied to the surface in such a manner as to retard the curing of the liquid absorbed, thereby facilitating the clean release of the edge of the tape from the surface to which it has been applied and from the remaining liquid applied to the surface.

Problems solved by technology

A persistent problem with masking tapes of this type is that the tape is typically only partially successful in defining a clean masking edge or boundary between masked and unmasked surfaces.

In addition, the paper substrate has a tendency to absorb or wick moisture from the paint through the unprotected edge of the tape substrate.

This absorption causes swelling in the tape that degrades the ability of the tape to form a tight seal with the surface to which it is applied.

Yet another problem associated with masking tape and other, similar masking products is that paint that overlies the edge of the tape will cure in place and make it difficult to remove the tape from beneath the edge of the layer of cured paint.

In these circumstances, tape can tear or worse, remove portions of the cured paint, thereby necessitating touch up of the painted surface.

Images