Abstract:
The present invention concerns a length or roll of tape that has been designed to be easily removed. The tape has a substrate or film on which two opposingly located adhesive sections are formed. A non-adhesive section is also located on the substrate between the adhesive sections. The non-adhesive section forms a graspable handle at one end of the substrate which makes the tape easier to remove. The invention may also comprise a single adhesive and non-adhesive section which forms a graspable handle. In addition, the non-adhesive section may be substituted with a low strength adhesive section as well.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns a tape used generally for sealing and/or creating cartons such as corrugated boxes. More specifically, the present invention concerns a tape which has an area devoid of adhesive or has coated thereon a releaseable adhesive. Configuring the tape in this manner forms a handle or graspable section which diminishes the difficulty in removing the tape. This, in turn, makes it easier to open the container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Corrugated boxes and the like have long been made and/or sealed with tape. By its very design, the tape is intended to strongly adhere to the container so as to prevent inadvertent opening of the container during handling, shipping, storage and the like. This, in turn, makes it difficult to remove the tape when desired. Box cutters and the like are often used to cut the tape in order to open the carton. The use of a sharp object leads to other problems such as potential injury or damage to the contents of the container. Thus, there is a need for a tape that can satisfy the two competing needs of providing a strong seal while still being easily removed. 
     The present invention solves the above mentioned problems. It provides an effective seal by having an adhesive backing. It is also easily removed because a non-adhesive area is also provided which forms a tab, handle or graspable section which may be easily grasped so as to permit the tape to be pulled off of the container. 
     In another embodiment, a releaseable adhesive which has a lower adhesive strength than the other adhesive is used with the tape. The tab, handle or graspable section is adhered to the carton by the weaker adhesive so as to create a handle which is easily grasped so as to permit the tape to be pulled off of the container. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in several views, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention applied to a carton. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a tape making machine that may be used to create the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating how a graspable handle may be formed by the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating how the graspable handle is used to remove the tape. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the embodiment shown FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates how a graspable handle maybe formed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates how a graspable handle maybe formed in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.  7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates how a graspable handle maybe formed in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.  9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates how a graspable handle maybe formed in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.  12 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Set forth below is a description of what are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to the preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternates or modifications in which insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the present comprises a section of tape  11  which has been adhered to carton  47 . Tape  11  is formed by cutting one end of a roll of tape stock into a particular shape with a tape making machine  190  the design of which is well known to those of skill in the art and is shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Tape  11  is cut to have a first end  13  and an opposing second end  15 . End  13  terminates in an extended area  18  that forms the tab, handle or graspable section of tape  11  as is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . On tape  11 , adhesive is applied to areas  12  and  14  and, in a preferred embodiment, area  16  is free of adhesive. Alternately, adhesive may be applied to area  16 , but when done, to achieve the objects of the present invention, it is weaker in strength than the adhesive used on areas  12  and  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in a preferred embodiment, the tab, handle or graspable section  18  is formed by a non-adhesive area which extends past or beyond the adhesive on tape  11 . Since, this area is free from adhesive, it is easily positioned and grasped by a user. As is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , once handle  18  is grasped, a user may then firmly grip tape  11  and pull the tape off of a carton. This reduces the need to cut the tape in order to remove it. 
     While the preferred embodiment is shown as forming a point  18  as the handle or tab, other shapes may be used as well so as to provide an adhesive free area or weakened adhesive area. For example,  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the present invention. As shown, two adhesive sections  22  and  24  are provided on tape  20 . Non-adhesive section  26  forms tab, handle or graspable section  28 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , handle  28  is first lifted to facilitate the removal of tape section  20 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, adhesive sections  32  and  34  are provided on tape  30 . Non-adhesive section  36  forms handle  38 . As was described above, section  36  may include a low strength adhesive as well.  FIG. 10  shows how handle  38  maybe first lifted so as to remove tape  30 . 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, adhesive section  52  is provided on tape  53 . Non-adhesive section  58  extends beyond the adhesive so as to form a handle  60 . As was described above, section  58  may include a low strength adhesive as well.  FIG. 13  shows how handle  60  maybe first lifted so as to remove tape  53 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , a typical tape length  140  made in accordance with the present invention will generally include a substrate  141 . Substrate  141  may be comprised of a flexible material such as paper, plastic, and other films known to those of skill in the art. As also shown, in a preferred embodiment, one side of substrate  141  includes opposingly located adhesive sections  142  and  143  with a non-adhesive section  144  located between sections  142  and  143 . 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  8 ,  10 , and  13  the tape sections may be formed as discreet or individual units or sections. Alternately, as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  7 ,  9 , and  12 , the tape used with the present invention may also be formed as sections or units which are part of a larger roll stock the formation of which is well known to those of skill in the art. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a conventional tape making machine  190  that may be used to create a length of tape. The tape making machine may either be hand operated or automatic. The design of such machines is well known to those of skill in the art. However, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the machine  190  should include a die  100  that is in the shape of the cut to be made across the tape so as to form an area that extends beyond the adhesive area on the tape. As is further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , two cuts  102  and  104 , which are pointed or angled in configuration, are used to form a complete section of tape  11 . Cut  102  forms both the beginning end  13  of tape  11  and the end of the previous tape section. Cut  104  forms end  15  of tape  11  and the beginning of the next tape length. 
     The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7-9  are created in a similar manner. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a notched cut  110  may be used to form the tape lengths.  FIG. 9  illustrates that a curved cut  112  may be used as well. Of course, other cut shapes may be used as well so long as a non-adhesive section is formed which extends past the adhesive section so as to form a handle. 
     In use and as was briefly described above, when a user desires to remove tape  11 , the tape is easily removed by grasping section  18  which is easily lifted since it either has no adhesive or a weak adhesive holding it to the container. Once a user gets a purchase on the tape, the tape may easily pulled off of the container. Moreover, since distal ends  17  and  19  have adhesive thereon, they will not fray during use. The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7-10  are used in a similar manner. 
     With respect to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 12-13 , that edge  58  has no adhesive thereon or has had a weaker adhesive applied thereto also allows edge  58  to act as the tab, handle, or graspable section. This allows a user uses to get a purchase point on the tape at either end of the tape as well as along the side of the tape. An advantage of this embodiment is that the graspable section is easily located on the container rather than situated on one particular end. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that changes and other modifications can be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Various features of the present invention are set forth in the following claims.