Splicing tape, splicing method and splice using the splicing tape

A splice on the leading edge of a roll of sheet material for attachment to a further sheet material, each winding of said sheet material on said roll having an outer surface facing radially outwards from said roll, comprising:

• a splicing portion and a preformed attachment portion, said splicing portion comprising:
• an elongate backing member having two faces and two longitudinal edges;
• a first adhesive layer on said backing member attaching the leading edge of the roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll to said backing member, said first adhesive layer extending across the width of said backing member from substantially the first longitudinal edge of said backing member to a first position towards the centre thereof;
• and
• a second adhesive layer on a first face of said backing member for attachment to said further sheet material, said second adhesive layer beginning at or beyond, but not overlapping with said first position and extending across the width of said backing member to a second position towards the second longitudinal edge of said backing member;
• wherein said pre-formed attachment portion is connected to and distributed along said splicing portion and releasably and self-supportively attaching said splice to the outer surface of said underlying winding of said roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll, characterized by said pre-formed attachment portion including a third adhesive layer on said backing member for releasing at least said splicing portion from said underlying winding of said first roll while leaving the outer surface of said underlying winding in a non-tacky condition.

A method of preparing a splice between the leading edge of a roll of sheet material and a further sheet material using a splicing tape, each winding of said sheet material on said roll having an outer surface facing radially outwards away from said roll, said splicing tape comprising:

• a splicing portion and a pre-formed attachment portion, said splicing portion comprising:
• an elongate backing member having two faces and two longitudinal edges,
• a first adhesive layer on said backing member, said first adhesive layer being provided for attaching the leading edge of said roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll to said splicing tape and extending across the width of said backing member from substantially the first longitudinal edge of the backing member to a first position towards the centre thereof;
• and
• a second adhesive layer on a first face of said backing member and being covered by at least one release foil, said second adhesive layer being provided for attachment to said further sheet material, said second adhesive layer beginning at or beyond, but not overlapping said first position and extending across the width of said backing member to a second position towards the second longitudinal edge of said backing member;
• wherein said pre-formed attachment portion is connected to and distributed along said splicing portion for self-supportively and releasably attaching said splicing tape to the outer surface of the underlying winding of said roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll, said attachment portion including a third adhesive layer on said backing member for releasing at least said splicing portion from the underlying winding of said roll while leaving the outer surface of the underlying winding in a non-tacky condition, said method comprising the steps of:
• attaching said splicing tape to the outer surface of said underlying winding using said third adhesive layer on said backing member substantially across the width of said roll;
• attaching said leading edge to said first adhesive layer, and
• separating said attachment portion from said splicing portion attached to said leading edge while leaving the outer surface of said underlying winding in a non-tacky condition.

A method of making a splice between the leading edge of a roll of sheet material and a further sheet material using a splicing tape, each winding of said sheet material on said roll having an outer surface facing radially outwards away from said roll, said splicing tape comprising:

• a splicing portion and a pre-formed attachment portion, said splicing portion comprising:
• an elongate backing member having two faces and two longitudinal edges;
• a first adhesive layer on said backing member, said first adhesive layer being provided for attachment of the leading edges of the roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll to said splicing tape and extending across the width of said backing member from substantially the first longitudinal edge of the backing member to a first position towards the centre thereof;
• and
• a second adhesive layer on a first face of said backing member and being covered by at lease one release foil, said second adhesive layer being provided for attachment of said backing member to the further sheet material, said second adhesive layer beginning at or beyond, but not overlapping said first position and extending across the width of said backing member to a second position towards the second longitudinal edge of said backing member;
• wherein said pre-formed attachment portion is connected to and distributed along said splicing portion for self-supportively and releasably attaching said splicing tape to the outer surface of the underlying winding of said roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll;
• said attachment portion including a third adhesive layer on said backing member for releasing at least said splicing portion from the underlying winding of said roll while leaving the outer surface of the underlying winding in a non-tacky condition, said method comprising the steps of:
• attaching said spliced tape to the outer surface of said underlying winding using said third adhesive layer on said backing substantially across the width of said roll,
• attaching said leading edge to said first adhesive layer,
• exposing said second adhesive layer,
• attaching the further sheet material to the exposed second adhesive layer, and
• releasing said leading edge and said splicing portion attached thereto from said underlying winding while leaving the outer surface of said underlying winding non-tacky.

A splicing tape for splicing the leading edge of a roll of sheet material to a further sheet material, each winding of said sheet material on said roll having an outer surface facing radially outwards away from said roll, comprising:

• a splicing portion and a pre-formed attachment portion, said splicing portion comprising:
• an elongate backing member;
• an adhesive layer on said backing member, a first part layer of said adhesive layer being provided for attachment of the leading edge of the roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll to said backing member and a second part layer of said adhesive layer being for attachment to said further sheet material;
• wherein said pre-formed attachment portion is connected to and distributed along said splicing portion for releasable and self-supportive attachment of said splicing tape to the outer surface of the underlying winding of said roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll, characterized by said attachment portion being adapted for releasing at least said splicing portion from said underlying winding of said roll while leaving the outer surface of said underlying winding in a non-tacky condition and said attachment portion includes a stretch releasable adhesive layer.