US 8,800,471 B2 · Adhesive tape with visual indicators and associated methods of use

Abstract

A visual indicator used to indicate a disposition of an end of a tape comprises a colored layer, and one or more layers of elongate polymer elements, or one or more polarizing layers, or one or more dichroic filter layers. When the tape is stretched as a piece is torn or cut away, an orientation of the polymer elements, or a polarization configuration, or a thickness of the dichroic layers is changed, changing a color, opacity, or reflectance visually evident at the end of the tape. In other embodiments, the visual indicator comprises one or more visible lines that run diagonally across the width of the tape, either in successive sections or along the entire length, so that a discontinuity between the line at the end and at an adjacent point on the remainder of the tape indicates the disposition of the end and an approximate amount of tape remaining.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A tape provided with a visual indication of an end of the tape, comprising:

(a) a backing material provided with an adhesive that enables the tape to adhere to a surface on which the tape is applied;
and
(b) a visual indicator having a physical configuration that changes as a desired length of the tape is cut or torn from a remainder of the tape, so that a change in the physical configuration of the visual indicator enables a user to visually determine a disposition of the end of the tape adhered to the remainder of the tape, wherein the change in the physical configuration of the visual indicator caused by stretching the tape where it is cut or torn away from the remainder of the tape causes the visual indicator to change at least one physical characteristic selected from the group of physical characteristics consisting of:
(i) in a color visually apparent at the end of the tape;
(ii) an opacity visually apparent at the end of the tape;
and
(iii) a reflectance visually apparent at the end of the tape.

4 more elements

A method for enabling a user to more readily visually determine where an end of a tape is disposed, when an adhesive on the tape adheres the end to a remainder of the tape, comprising:

(a) providing a visual indicator over a backing material of the tape that can be used to provide a visual indication of where the end of the tape is located on the remainder of the tape;
and
(b) changing a physical configuration of the visual indicator when a desired length of the tape is cut or torn from the remainder of the tape, the change in the physical configuration of the visual indicator making evident the location of the end of the tape on the remainder of the tape, wherein changing the physical configuration of the visual indicator comprises changing a characteristic of elongate polymer elements included in at least one layer of the tape, while cutting or tearing the desired length from the remainder of the tape, and wherein changing the characteristic of the elongate polymer elements produces a different visually perceptible appearance of the tape, so that the end of the tape is visibly evident.

A method for enabling a user to more readily visually determine where an end of a tape is disposed, when an adhesive on the tape adheres the end to a remainder of the tape, comprising:

(a) providing a visual indicator with the tape that can be used to provide a visual indication of where the end of the tape is located on the remainder of the tape;
and
(b) changing a physical configuration of the visual indicator when a desired length of the tape is cut or torn from the remainder of the tape, the change in the physical configuration of the visual indicator making evident the location of the end of the tape on the remainder of the tape, wherein the visual indicator comprises a polarizing layer of polymers, and wherein changing the physical configuration of the visual indicator comprises modifying a condition of the polymers as the tape is stretched when cutting or tearing the desired length from the remainder of the tape, modification of the condition of the polymers being visually perceptible, so that the end of the tape is readily visually perceptible, enabling the end of the tape to be visibly evident.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adhesive tape with visual indicators and associated methods of use

Life of this patent

Adhesive tape with visual indicators and associated methods of use

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17