# US 10,480,656 B2 · Bridge tape with directed foam expansion and method for sealing holes in sheet metal or plastic parts of automobile bodies

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- Number: US 10,480,656 B2
- Document ID: US10480656B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/242,959
- Filed: 2016-08-22
- Published: 2018-02-22
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2016-08-22
- Assignees: Tesa SE
- Applicants: Tesa SE
- Inventors: Robert Fallon; Elliot Sedlecky; Patrick Boecker; Andreas Meier
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480656B2

## CPC

- F16J 15/108: {Special methods for making a non-metallic packing}
- B32B 3/266: {characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12}
- B32B 5/022: {Non-woven fabric}
- B32B 5/026: {Knitted fabric}
- B32B 5/06: characterised by a fibrous {or filamentary} layer {mechanically connected, e.g. by needling} to another layer, e.g. of fibres, of paper
- B32B 5/20: foamed in situ
- B32B 5/26: another layer {next to it} also being fibrous or filamentary {(relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12)}
- B32B 7/06: permitting easy separation
- B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
- B32B 27/06: as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08)}
- B32B 27/306: {comprising vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol (co)polymers}
- C09J 7/29: Laminated material (metallised plastics C09J7/22)
- F16J 15/102: {characterised by material}
- B32B 2307/748: Releasability
- B32B 2405/00: Adhesive articles, e.g. adhesive tapes
- B32B 2581/00: Seals; Sealing equipment; Gaskets
- C08K 9/10: Encapsulated ingredients
- C09J 2301/18: characterized by perforations in the adhesive tape
- C09J 2301/41: additives as essential feature of the carrier layer
- C09J 2301/412: presence of microspheres
- C09J 2400/263: in the substrate
- F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- C09J: ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES (preparation of glue or gelatine C09H)
- C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09)

## Abstract

Bridge tape with directed foam expansion comprised of thermally foamable composition, useful for applying coating material through holes in the tape to a substrate beneath the tape, after which the holes can be sealed by heating to cause the foamable composition to foam and the foam to seal the holes.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A bridge tape comprising:
a foamable composition comprising an expandable microballoon;
a first backing material;
a second backing material; and
an adhesive coating or a two-sided adhesive tape,
wherein:
the foamable composition is disposed between the first backing material and the second backing material;
the adhesive coating or the two-sided adhesive tape is disposed between the first backing material and the foamable composition; and
the first backing material and the second backing material are fixed by a thread.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The bridge tape of claim 1, wherein the thread comprises:
a continuous filament of a synthetic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide, polyimide, aramid, polyolefin, polyacrylonitrile, and glass;
a manmade filament based on a natural polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulosic filaments and rubber filaments; or
a natural filament comprising cotton, sisal, flax, silk, hemp, linen, coconut, or wool.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The bridge tape of claim 1, wherein the bridge tape has been die-cut to form a die-cut patch.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The die-cut patch of claim 3, wherein the first backing material is of a smaller size than the second backing material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The die-cut patch of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of holes passing through the die-cut patch.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The bridge tape of claim 1, wherein the first backing material is a cloth tape.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The bridge tape of claim 1, further comprising a further adhesive coating or a two-sided adhesive tape disposed between the second backing material and the foamable composition.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The bridge tape of claim 7, further comprising a release liner.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The bridge tape of claim 8, further comprising a second further adhesive coating or a second two-sided adhesive tape, wherein the second further adhesive coating or the second two-sided adhesive tape is disposed between the second backing material and the release liner.

### Claim 10 (depends on 3)

A method comprising:
covering an opening with the die-cut patch of claim 3;
applying a liquid coating material to the opening by passing the liquid coating material through a hole passing through the die-cut patch; and
heating the die-cut patch, thereby causing a foamable composition to foam to form a foamed composition,
wherein the foamed composition seals the opening.