Adhesive Tape Support Substrate Black Surface Contrast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transparent adhesive tape rolls on reflective support substrates suffer from significant light reflection and scatter, making it difficult for users to identify the free edge of the tape, especially for those with vision impairment.

Innovation Solution

A support substrate with an outer surface that appears black or near black, minimizing light reflection and maximizing light absorption, thereby improving contrast and visibility of the tape edge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a reflective support substrate (white cardboard, coloured paper, plastic roll) is used to support transparent adhesive tape, then the support substrate provides structural support and ease of handling, but significant light reflection and scatter occur, reducing visualisation of the tape edge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural support and handlingVSAvoidvisualisation of tape edge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The support substrate is changed from conventional reflective colours (white, coloured paper, plastic) to black or near-black colour. This colour change minimises light reflection and maximises light absorption, thereby improving the contrast between the transparent tape and the support substrate, making the tape edge easily visible to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of light reflection (which causes poor visualisation) into a beneficial effect by using a black support substrate that absorbs light. The black colour prevents light from reflecting off the support substrate, allowing users to clearly see the transparent tape edge against the dark background.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Illumination intensity

If a white outer coating is used on the support substrate to provide contrast, then the coating reflects the most light, but this significantly reduces user visualisation of the adhesive tape edge due to internal reflection and light scatter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight reflectionVSAvoidvisual contrast sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a light-coloured (white) coating that reflects light, the invention inverts the approach by using a black or near-black coating that absorbs light. This inversion eliminates the internal reflection and light scatter problems caused by white coatings, allowing users to clearly visualise the transparent tape edge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Illumination intensity

If conventional coloured outer coatings (blue, green, yellow, red) are used on the support substrate, then the coatings reflect their respective wavelengths, but this affects user visualisation of the adhesive tape edge which has low contrast

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength reflectionVSAvoidvisual contrast sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the outer coating colour from conventional coloured coatings (blue, green, yellow, red) to black or near-black. This colour change eliminates wavelength-specific reflection and maximises light absorption across all wavelengths, providing superior contrast for visualising the transparent tape edge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows users to easily locate the free edge of the adhesive tape quickly and efficiently, reducing frustration and enabling individuals with vision impairment to use the tape independently.

Implementation Method 1

an outer surface, an outwardly facing surface and/or an outermost surface of the support substrate is or visually appears black or near black in colour... has a light absorption value (LAV) of approximately 35% or more

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

has a light reflection value (LRV) of approximately 65% or less... minimizing light reflection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the density and hence the refractive index are different, resulting in light reflection back into the adhesive tape roll. Due to the curved nature of the support substrate and adhesive tape, and also due to light scatter, the angle of the light incident on the tape/air boundary will often exceed the critical angle and the light will be totally internally reflected.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20240343523A1Adhesive Tape Support Substrate and Method of Use and/or Manufacture Thereof

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 BHOJWANI RAJAN

AI summary

An adhesive tape support substrate for supporting adhesive tape in use. The support substrate has an outer surface, an outwardly facing surface and/or an outermost surface of the support substrate that is or visually appears black or near black in colour, or is or appears visually as another colour other than black or near black and has a light reflection value (LRV) of approximately 65% or less and/or a light absorption value (LAV) of approximately 35% or more.