Packaged flexible film and flexible film packaging system therefor

Abstract

A packaged flexible film is described. The packaged flexible film includes (i) a cylindrical core having an outer surface; (ii) a supply of flexible film wound about the core with a leading edge adjacent the outer surface and forming a connection ridge along the outer surface; and (iii) a cover strip comprising a compressed compressible cover material covering said connection ridge. Also described are a packaging system for flexible film and a multilayer flexible film packaging tape.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to packaged flexible polymer films and packaging systems for flexible polymer films.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In the prior art, flexible films formed from polymeric materials and / or plastics are typically packaged at the manufacturing site as rolls, with the film wound onto a cylindrical supporting carrier formed from rigid plastic, cardboard or the like (known as a core). The core is then enclosed and contained in a box, bag or other packaging to protect the film during transport and provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to customers. For some products, for example films for application to windows installed in automobiles and buildings, the flexible films are often packaged during manufacture in large and heavy “bulk” rolls; however, product distribution channel requirements demand that film wound on such bulk rolls be unwound and then rewound into smaller “commercial” rolls for shipping and eventual sale. By w...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For some products, for example films for application to windows installed in automobiles and buildings, the flexible films are often packaged during manufacture in large and heavy “bulk” rolls; however, product distribution channel requirements demand that film wound on such bulk rolls be unwound and then rewound into smaller “commercial” rolls for shipping and eventual sale.

The double sided adhesive strip has a minimized (typically 25-50p) but nonetheless potentially impactful thickness and can create an even more severe imprint than the end of the film.

It presents two ends rather than one and the general evenness of the thickness of adhesive strip over the entire area of adhesive, particularly hand-applied aerosol pressure sensitive adhesives, can be very poor.

The core surface itself may have defects or minute contaminants that impact its uniformity and smoothness.

Imprints or embossments created in films via the above are typically permanent such that, if use of the film is attempted, defects in the final product's functionality and / or aesthetic appearance are highly likely.

With respect to window films, installation of this portion of the film from the roll on a vehicle or building window is often the source for consumer complaints and warranty claims.

It is difficult with such thin materials, however, to achieve any uniform angled cut of this kind, particularly at such a shallow angle as would be necessary to materially reduce the impact of the leading end on the imprint problem.

Such solutions are, however, typically not cost effective as they add expensive machining, molding, slitting or other high-precision steps to the core manufacturing process and create the need for cores that are highly customized to match individual film types and thicknesses.

Further, they also present challenges in properly adhering the leading edge of the film to the core so that the roll can be properly wound.

Despite these prior art efforts, embossments remain a significant source of waste and inefficiency for the flexible films industry.

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