Laminated adhesive tape

Abstract

An adhesive tape comprising: a first layer of polymeric material, a first surface of the first layer of polymeric material comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive for forming an airtight seal with an

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to an adhesive tape. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to an adhesive tape for application to tubeless wheel rims and a method of manufacturing an adhesive tape for a tubeless wheel rim. Aspects of the invention relate to an adhesive tape and a method of manufacture of an adhesive tape. BACKGROUND It is known to provide an adhesive tape to the rim of a wheel, such as a bicycle wheel, when using such a wheel with tyres which are to be used without an innertube, that is, when using a tubeless tyre. Spokes of a wheel, such as a bicycle wheel, attach a wheel hub, at the centre of the wheel, to a wheel rim which is radially distal from the wheel hub. The spokes are affixed to the wheel rim using spoke nuts, which are sometimes called spoke nipples, which are anchored through the wheel rim. Adhesive tapes may be applied to the wheel rim to cover projections of the spoke nuts which project radially outward through spoke nut apertures in the rim of the wheel. The projections of the spoke nuts project into an area which is to be located between the wheel rim and a tyre when the tyre is positioned on the wheel rim. The adhesive tape is intended to prevent leakage of air from inside an inflated tyre on the wheel rim from escaping through the spoke nut apertures. It is an aim of the present invention to address at least some of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide an adhesive tape and a method of manufacturing an adhesive tape. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an adhesive tape comprising: a first layer of polymeric material, a first surface of the first layer of polymeric material comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive for forming an airtight seal with an external surface; and a second layer of polymeric material. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an adhesive tape comprising: a first layer of polymeric material, a first surface of the first layer of polymeric material comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive for forming an airtight seal with an external surface; a second layer of polymeric material; and intermediary material located between the first layer of polymeric material and the second layer of polymeric material. The first layer of polymeric material may be formed of one of acrylic, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, or cellulose. The second layer of polymeric material may be formed of one of acrylic, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, or cellulose. A first surface of the second layer of polymeric material may comprise a low-adhesion release surface. A second surface of the second layer of polymeric material may be bonded to a second surface of the first layer of polymeric material. The intermediary material may comprise, at least in part, one or more further layers of polymeric material between the first layer of polymeric material and the second layer of polymeric material The intermediary material may comprise, at least in part, a metal foil. The intermediary material may comprise, at least in part, a reinforcement material. The reinforcement material may comprise filaments arranged along the length of the adhesive tape. The pressure sensitive adhesive may comprise one or more of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, resin, acrylic, or silicone. The first layer of polymeric material may be between eighty and one hundred and fifty microns thick. The first layer of polymeric material may be one hundred microns thick. The second layer of polymeric material may be between twenty and eighty microns thick. The second layer of polymeric material may be fifty microns thick. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an adhesive tape comprising: applying one or more layers of intermediary material to a first layer of polymeric material; bonding a second layer of polymeric material to the first layer of polymeric material to provide a laminated adhesive tape; and applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to a first surface of the first layer of polymeric material for forming an airtight seal with an external surface. The method may comprise cold foil printing a metal foil, as at least part of the intermediary material, onto the first layer of polymeric material prior to bonding the second layer of polymeric material to the first layer of polymeric material and before the application of pressure sensitive adhesive to the first surface of the first layer of polymeric material. The method may comprise locating reinforcement material, as at least part of the intermediary material, on the first layer of polymeric material prior to bonding the second layer of polymeric material to the first layer of polymeric material and before the application of pressure sensitive adhesive to the first surface of the first layer of polymeric material. Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives, set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first layer of an adhesive tape according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a section view of the first layer of the adhesive tape shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a first layer of an adhesive tape incorporating intermediary material according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a section view of the first layer of the adhesive tape incorporating intermediary material shown in Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic view of a first layer and a second layer of an adhesive tape incorporating intermediary material according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a section view of the first layer and the second layer of the adhesive tape incorporating intermediary material shown in Figure 5, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a schematic view of a laminate adhesive tape according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a section view of the laminate adhesive tape shown in Figure 7, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a schematic view of a laminate adhesive tape according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a section view of the laminate adhesive tape shown in Figure 9, according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 11 is a flow diagram of the manufacturing of a laminated adhesive tape according to an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Examples of the present disclosure relate to an adhesive tape. In particular, examples of the present disclosure relate to a laminated adhesive tape. Non-limiting examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate one embodiment of a laminated adhesive tape 10 formed of a first layer 12 of polymeric material and a second layer 22 of polymeric material having intermediary material 20 therebetween. The first layer 12 of polymeric material may be formed of one of acrylic, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, or cellulose. The first layer 12 of polymeric material may be considered to be a substrate, providing the majority of the strength of the laminated adhesive tape 10 and providing a surface upon which other layers of polymeric material and intermediary material 20 can be located and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer can be formed. The first layer 12 of polymeric material comprises a first surface 14 which is arranged or configured to be provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive 16 for adhering or bonding the laminated adhesive tape 10 to an external surface. The pressure sensitive adhesive 16 is arranged or configured to provide an airtight seal with the external surface. For example, when the laminated adhesive tape 10 is attached to the wheel rim of a bicycle, over an area comprising spoke nuts, where the spoke nuts comprise projections through spoke nut apertures in the wheel rim, the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 provides an airtight seal around the spoke nuts such that air cannot pass between the inside of the wheel rim and the outside of the wheel rim through the spoke nut apertures. This negates the need for any other sealing means at the spoke nut apertures, such as rubber seals or tubeless tyre sealant, though of course such additional sealing means can be used alongside the laminated adhesive tape 10. The pressure sensitive adhesive 16 comprises one or more of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, resin, acrylic, or silicone. Further examples of pressure sensitive adhesives 16 that may be used include butyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, and methyl methacrylate based adhesives or combination thereof. The pressure sensitive adhesive 16 may additionally comprise other components, such as UV stabilisers and antioxidants to prevent or minimise degradation of the laminated adhesive tape 10, thereby extending the shelflife of the laminated adhesive tape 10. The bonding pressure of the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 may be in the range of 10 to 20 N / cm2. The first layer 12 of polymeric material comprises a second surface 18 which is arranged or configured to engage or abut the second layer 22 of polymeric material to form a laminated structure of polymeric material, the laminated structure having increased tensile strength whilst maintaining flexibility. The second layer 22 of polymeric material may be formed of one of acrylic, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, or cellulose, but need not be the same material as that used to form the first layer 12 of polymeric material. For example, the first layer 12 of polymeric material may be formed of polypropylene and the second layer 22 of polymeric material may be formed of a cellulose-based material. The second layer 22 of polymeric material may be used to protect or seal the intermediary material 20 from external forces. The second layer 22 of polymeric material may be bonded or adhered to the first layer 12 of polymeric material using an appropriate adhesive having an adhesive strength greater than the adhesive strength of the pressure sensitive adhesive 16. The second layer 22 of polymeric material comprises a first surface 24 which is arranged to be an external surface of the laminated adhesive tape 10. The first surface 24 of the second layer 22 of polymeric material may comprise, in some embodiments, a low-adhesion release surface. For example, the first surface 24 of the second layer 22 of polymeric material may be provided with a silicone-based release surface coating. This reduces the bond strength between the first surface 24 of the second layer 22 of polymeric material and the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 on the first surface 14 of the first layer 12 when the laminated adhesive tape 10 is rolled such that the first surface 24 of the second layer 22 of polymeric material abuts the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 on the first surface 14 of the first layer 12. In alternative embodiments, a removable release liner, for example a silicone release liner, may be attached to the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 on the first surface 14 of the first layer 12 of polymeric material to prevent bonding between the first surface 24 of the second layer 22 of polymeric material and the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 when the laminated adhesive tape 10 is rolled such that the first surface 24 of the second layer 22 of polymeric material abuts the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 on the first surface 14 of the first layer 12. The second layer 22 of polymeric material comprises a second surface 28 which is arranged or configured to engage or abut the second surface 18 of the first layer 12 of polymeric material to form the laminated structure of polymeric material, the laminated structure having increased tensile strength whilst maintaining flexibility. The second surface 28 of the second layer 22 of polymeric material is bonded to a second surface 18 of the first layer 12 of polymeric material. The first layer 12 of polymeric material may be between eighty and one hundred and fifty microns thick. For example, a first layer 12 of polymeric material may be one hundred microns thick. Such a thickness of polymeric material may provide a substrate for the laminated adhesive tape 10 having a high tensile strength to enable its use as a wheel rim tape and prevent deformation of the adhesive tape 10 whilst in use. The second layer 22 of polymeric material may be between twenty and eighty microns thick. For example, a second layer 22 of polymeric material may be fifty microns thick. Such a thickness of polymeric material may provide a suitable protective surface to prevent damage to the intermediary material 20 located between the first layer 12 of polymeric material and the second layer 22 of polymeric material. The intermediary material 20 may be a partial layer, that is, a layer which does not include all of the surface area of the second surface 18 of the first layer 12 of polymeric material or the surface area of the second surface 28 of the second layer 22 of polymeric material. In such an arrangement at least part of the first layer 12 of polymeric material is arranged or configured to abut and be adhered or bonded to the second layer 22 of polymeric material. Alternatively, in some embodiments the intermediary material 20 may comprise one or more further layers of polymeric material between the first layer 12 of polymeric material and the second layer 22 of polymeric material. In such arrangements, the intermediary layer 20 may have the same or substantially the same surface area as the surface area of the second surface 18 of the first layer 12 of polymeric material and / or the surface area of the second surface 28 of the second layer 22 of polymeric material. The intermediary material 20 may therefore form a full laminate layer of the laminated adhesive tape 10. In such an arrangement the first layer 12 of polymeric material may be bonded or adhered to a first side of the intermediary layer 20, or stack of intermediary layers 20, using an appropriate adhesive having an adhesive strength greater than the adhesive strength of the pressure sensitive adhesive 16, and the second layer 22 of polymeric material may be bonded or adhered to a second side of the intermediary layer 20, or stack of intermediary layers 20, using an appropriate adhesive having an adhesive strength greater than the adhesive strength of the pressure sensitive adhesive 16. By using adhesives between the layers of the laminated adhesive tape 10 which have greater adhesive strength than the adhesive strength of the pressure sensitive adhesive 16 for engagement of the laminated adhesive tape 10 to an external surface, the laminated adhesive tape 10 may be repositioned on, or removed from, the external surface without the separation of the layers of the laminated adhesive tape 10. In some embodiments the intermediary material may comprise, at least in part, a metal foil. Such a metal foil may be printed onto the first layer 12 of polymeric material using cold foil printing. The metal foil may be discontinuous along the length of the laminated adhesive tape 10 in order to allow a user to view the external surface to which the laminated adhesive tape 10 is to be bonded or adhered. In some embodiments, the intermediary material comprises, at least in part, a reinforcement material. Such a reinforcement material may comprise filaments, strands, or fibres arranged along the length of the adhesive tape 10. The reinforcement material may comprise fibreglass filaments, strands, or fibres or polyester filaments, strands, or fibres. The reinforcement filaments, strands, or fibres may be arranged parallel, or substantially parallel to the length of the adhesive tape 10, for example in parallel rows. Alternatively, the reinforcement filaments, strands, or fibres may be woven along the length of the adhesive tape 10. For example, the woven filaments, strands, or fibres may be arranged in a crossweave pattern. Figures 1 to 10 illustrate stages of manufacturing of an adhesive tape 10. Figures 1 to 10 are not drawn to scale, but have dimensions which have been distorted in order to more clearly illustrate the components of the laminated adhesive tape 10. Figure 11 illustrates the steps of a method 100 for manufacturing a laminated adhesive tape 10. Figure 1 illustrates a first layer 12 of polymeric material of an adhesive tape 10, the first layer 12 providing a substrate for application of further layers of material and adhesives to form a laminated adhesive tape 10. As illustrated in Figure 11, block 105 of method 100 comprises applying one or more layers of intermediary material 20 to the first layer 12 of polymeric material thereby forming a laminated structure as illustrated in Figure 3 and Figure 4. In block 110 a second layer 22 of polymeric material is bonded or adhered to the first layer 12 of polymeric material to form a laminated tape as illustrated in Figure 5 and Figure 6. In block 115 a pressure sensitive adhesive 16 is applied to a first surface 14 of the first layer 12 of polymeric material to form a laminated adhesive tape 10 as illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8. The laminated adhesive tape 10 formed by this method is suitable for forming an airtight seal with an external surface, such as a bicycle wheel rim. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an alternative arrangement of a laminated adhesive tape 10 where the intermediary material 20 forms a continuous layer between the first layer 12 of polymeric material and the second layer 22 of polymeric material. The application of intermediary material 20 may comprise cold foil printing a metal foil, as at least part of the intermediary material 20, onto the first layer 12 of polymeric material prior to bonding or adhering a second layer 22 of polymeric material to the first layer 12 of polymeric material and before the application of pressure sensitive adhesive 16 to the first surface 14 of the first layer 12 of polymeric material. The application of intermediary material 20 may comprise locating reinforcement material, as at least part of the intermediary material 20, on the first layer 12 of polymeric material prior to bonding or adhering a second layer 22 of polymeric material to the first layer 12 of polymeric material and before the application of pressure sensitive adhesive 16 to the first surface 14 of the first layer 12 of polymeric material. Whilst the embodiments described above have presented a laminated adhesive tape formed of polymeric material, one or more of the layers of the laminated adhesive tape may be formed from another material, such as a woven fabric or metal. The blocks illustrated in Figure 11 may represent steps in a method. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the blocks may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some blocks to be omitted. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

23 09 241. An adhesive tape comprising:a first layer of polymeric material, a first surface of the first layer of polymeric 5 material comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive configured to form an airtight seal with an external surface when the adhesive tape is arranged on the external surface;a second layer of polymeric material; andintermediary material located between the first layer of polymeric material and the second layer of polymeric material.

102. An adhesive tape according to claim 1, wherein the first layer of polymeric material is formed of one of acrylic, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, or cellulose, and wherein the second layer of polymeric material is formed of one of acrylic, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, or cellulose.

153. An adhesive tape according to any preceding claim, wherein a first surface of the second layer of polymeric material comprises a low-adhesion release surface.

4. An adhesive tape according to any preceding claim, wherein a second surface of 20 the second layer of polymeric material is bonded to a second surface of the first layer of polymeric material.

5. An adhesive tape according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediary material comprises, at least in part, one or more further layers of polymeric material 25 between the first layer of polymeric material and the second layer of polymeric material.

6. An adhesive tape according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediary material comprises, at least in part, a metal foil.30 7. An adhesive tape according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediarymaterial comprises, at least in part, a reinforcement material.

8. An adhesive tape according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcement material comprises filaments arranged along the length of the adhesive tape.23 09 249. An adhesive tape according to any preceding claim, where the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises one or more of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, resin, acrylic, or silicone.

510. An adhesive tape according to any preceding claim, wherein the first layer of polymeric material is between eighty and one hundred and fifty microns thick, preferably one hundred microns thick.10 11. An adhesive tape according to any preceding claim, wherein the second layer ofpolymeric material is between twenty and eighty microns thick, preferably fifty microns thick.

12. A method of manufacturing an adhesive tape comprising:15 applying one or more layers of intermediary material to a first layer of polymericmaterial;bonding a second layer of polymeric material to the first layer of polymeric material to provide a laminated adhesive tape; andapplying a pressure sensitive adhesive to a first surface of the first layer of 20 polymeric material configured to form an airtight seal with an external surface when the adhesive tape is arranged on the external surface.

13. A method according to claim 12, comprising:cold foil printing a metal foil, as at least part of the intermediary material, onto the25 first layer of polymeric material prior to bonding the second layer of polymeric material to the first layer of polymeric material and before the application of pressure sensitive adhesive to the first surface of the first layer of polymeric material.

14. A method according to claim 12 or claim 13, comprising:30 locating reinforcement material, as at least part of the intermediary material, onthe first layer of polymeric material prior to bonding the second layer of polymeric material to the first layer of polymeric material and before the application of pressure sensitive adhesive to the first surface of the first layer of polymeric material.

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