Abstract:
A pull tab is formed at a separable edge of each of a plurality of individually separable sheets of outwardly faced adhesive tape wound into a roll by a non-adhesive portion carried on the adhesive layer of the tape to facilitate gripping and removal of an outermost sheet from the tape roll to expose an underlying sheet. The separable edges extend at least partially through the tape roll dividing the tape into a plurality of separable sheets.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates generally to tools for picking up particles from surfaces such as clothing, pets, floors, carpets, furniture, and more specifically, to an adhesive tape lint remover having removable cleaning sheets. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Surfaces such as floors, clothing, pets, and furniture are most aesthetically pleasing and safe when they are clean, free from unsightly particles. Unfortunately these surfaces typically become soiled with particles from the environment, such as pets shedding hair, settling dust particles, dandruff from dry scalps and pets. Numerous devices and methods have been developed for returning a surface to a clean, particle free condition and people are constantly striving to develop better methods. Sweeping, brushing, vacuuming or using adhesive tape lint removers work well. However, most suffer from the drawback of being time consuming and difficult. For example, a small piece of lint, dandruff or hair may be located on an article of clothing or floor. Using a vacuum requires a person to locate the vacuum cleaner, uncoil and plug in a power cord, select the correct attachments, vacuum up the hair or lint and reverse the process to put the vacuum cleaner away. Likewise using a brush simply moves particles from one surface to another and requires either picking the hair or lint up from another surface or cleaning the brush. Alternatively a person may use an adhesive tape lint remover. This is also undesirable for many people since it is difficult to grasp individual layers and remove one at a time. Some persons may find locating and grasping individual sheets difficult and uncomfortable as they have physical limitations. Other people may find the dry edges unacceptable as they reduce the quantity of adhesive surface area for cleaning. Therefore, there is a need for improved devices and methods for simple cleaning duties such as removing lint, pet hair, and dandruff from clothing or floors. Previous attempts to address this need include lint removal brushes with directional fabric, adhesive tape lint removers with non-adhesive edges, electrostatic charged dusting cloths, and small hand held vacuum cleaners. However these solutions do not adequately address the needs of typical homeowners. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a lint removal apparatus including a tape roll in which a unique pull tab is formed along the tape roll at the location of the separable edge defining each individual sheet of the tape roll to facilitate gripping and removal of an outermost sheet from the next underlying inner sheet. 
     In one aspect, the lint removal apparatus includes: 
     a tape wound in a roll and formed of a substrate with opposed side edges and first and second major opposed surfaces; 
     an adhesive layer carried on one major surface of the tape; 
     the tape wound into a roll with the adhesive surface facing outwardly from the tape; 
     a separable edge extending at least partially through the roll dividing the roll into a plurality of individually separable sheets; and 
     a pull tab formed over a substantially non-adhesive portion carried between the side edges on one of the first and second surfaces of the substrate, the non-adhesive portion disposed in registry with the separable edge to define the pull tab at the separable edge of each sheet on the roll to facilitate removal of an outermost sheet from the roll. 
     The present invention, in another aspect, also defines a method for manufacturing a lint removal apparatus. The method comprises the steps of: 
     providing an elongate flexible substrate with first and second opposed surfaces and first and second side edges; 
     affixing an adhesive layer on one of the first and second surfaces of the substrate; 
     providing a pull tab defined by a substantially non-adhesive area on the adhesive layer on a separable edge sheet on the tape; 
     winding the tape into a roll with the adhesive layer facing outwardly of the roll; and 
     forming the separable edge at least partially through the roll dividing the roll into individually separable sheets. 
     The unique pull tab of the present invention provides advantages for a lint removal assembly tape roll by enabling easy gripping and removal of an outermost soiled sheet from the next innermost clean sheet of the tape roll without pulling additional sheets from the roll or having to pry the exposed end edge of the outermost sheet from the underlying adhesive coated layer. The pull tab defines a minimal non-adhesive area on the tape roll thereby providing greater exposed adhesive surfaces on each tape roll sheet as compared to prior lint removal tape rolls having dry edges along at least one and typically both side edges of the tape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lint removal apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the lint removal apparatus of  FIG. 1  shown at the beginning of the outermost sheet removal from the roll; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lint removal apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing the complete separation of an outermost sheet from the roll; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial, plan view of one aspect of a pull tab according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial, plan view of another aspect of the pull tab of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial, plan view of another aspect of the pull tab of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial, plan view of another aspect of the pull tab of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial, plan view of another aspect of the pull tab of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial, plan view of another aspect of the pull tab of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial, plan view of another aspect of the pull tab of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial, plan view of another aspect of the pull tab of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12A and B  are perspective views of pull tabs carried on the back or under surface of the tape roll; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the lint removal apparatus of the present invention mounted on a one aspect of a handle; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the lint removal apparatus of the present invention mounted on another aspect of a handle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a tape roll  10  for a lint removal apparatus  12  according to the present invention. The tape  14  wound into the roll form  10  is preferably formed of at least two material layers, one constituting a substrate or backing layer and the other constituting an adhesive layer, both having opposed side edges  16  and  18  and opposed, major, first and second surfaces  20  and  22 . 
     The substrate  14  is formed of a suitable material, such as silicone coated flat backed paper or crepe paper or plastic film. Any, suitable paper and plastic films, known in the relevant industry, may be employed. The substrate  14  can be opaque, transparent, colored or have printed indicia thereon as well as being formed with different surface textures or embossments. 
     The adhesive layer is disposed on or applied to substantially all or one major surface  20  or  22  of the substrate  14 . According to the present invention, the adhesive layer is applied to the substantially all of one major surface  20  or  22  of the substrate  14  between the side edges  16  and  18 . 
     Suitable adhesives which form a tacky, partially pressure sensitive surface for picking up lint and debris from other surfaces as generally known in the relevant industry may be employed. Typically, such adhesives are known as “pressure sensitive” adhesives and are normally tacky at room temperature. Such adhesives can be adhered to a surface by the application of light pressure. 
     Further details concerning the types of materials which can used to form the substrate  14  and the adhesive layer may be found by referring to U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,465, the relevant portions of which pertaining to the substrate and adhesive materials are incorporated herein by reference. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the tape  10  is wound into a continuous roll about a core or in a coreless fashion. An interior bore  21  is formed in the roll  10  for the core, if used, and/or for receiving a rotatable handle element as described hereafter and shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     A separable edge  24  is formed substantially through the roll  10  at one location between the side edges  16  and  18 . The separable edge  24  divides the tape  10  into a series of end to end arranged sheets  26 . As described hereafter, the outermost sheet  26  may be removed from the roll  10  after it is soiled thereby to enable a new clean sheet  26  to replace the soiled and removed outer sheet on the exterior surface of the roll  10 . 
     According to the present invention, a unique pull tab denoted in general by reference number  30  is provided in registry with the separable edge  24  of each sheet  26 . One portion of the pull tab  30  extends across the edge  24  so it can be easily separated from the surrounding adhesive on the underlying sheet  26  to allow the edge  24  of the outer most sheet  26  to be pulled away from the roll  10  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , unwound and removed from the roll  10 . 
     The pull tab  30 , shown ad described hereafter in many aspects, is part of a substantially non-adhesive area  32  which is formed by various means, also described hereafter, on the adhesive layer of each sheet.  26 . Preferably, the non-adhesive area  32  is disposed in registry with the separable edge  24  of each sheet  26  from the roll  10  The term “registry” will be understood to encompass configurations where the area  32  of the pull tab  30  overlays and spans the separable edge  24  or is disposed in contact with a portion of the edge  24  such that the entire area  32  extends away from the edge  24  and does not span the edge  24 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the non-adhesive area  32  can take different configurations, such as a polygonal configuration  34  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , and  6 - 10 , where the area  32  has a square, rectangular or other polygonal shape, or a circular configuration  36  as shown in FIG.  5 . The non-adhesive areas  32  can also be provided in a color different than the color of the tape or printed with indicia, such as “pull here”. As seen in the  FIG. 1 , the area  32  is substantially severed by the edge  24  into two segments  32 A and  32 B. 
     The pull tab  30  can be formed in a number of different ways, each defining a tab adjoining a part of the sheet  26  on the roll  10  but which has a non-adhesive radially outermost surface to allow the pull tab  30  on the outermost sheet  26  to be easily grasped and pulled to facilitate removal of the outer sheet  26  from the roll  10 . 
     For example, the non-adhesive area  32  can be formed of a thin material layer or sheet, including, but not limited to, plastic films, non-woven fabrics, papers, Tyvek, which has at least one substantially non-adhesive surface. Alternately, the non-adhesive area  32  can be formed of a coating, such as a UV cured or fast drying material, such as silicone or varnish, or a transferable ink including a stamped or jet sprayed ink. According to the present invention, “non-adhesive” area means an area or surface which has or is formed of a partial or complete non-adhesive surface or coating. For example, silicone or varnish can be screened onto the adhesive layer so as to cover a portion of the adhesive layer, i.e. 90%, for example, and thereby provide a slightly tacky surface which can assist in pulling the next pull tab away from the tape roll  12 . 
     Further, the non-adhesive area  32  is formed on the roll  10  in the location of each separable edge  24  between adjacent wound sheets  26  so that the pull tabs  30  and non-adhesive areas  32  overlay each other. The non-adhesive areas  32  are longitudinally spaced along the length of the tape  12  the spacing between consecutive non-adhesive areas  23  can be equal or non-equal. The non-adhesive areas  32 , while depicted as being centered between the side edges  16  and  18  of the tape  12 , can be formed at any other position between the side edges  16  and  18 . 
     Alternately, the pull tab  30  can be defined as a non-adhesive portion of the substrate of the tape  12  wherein the area  32  is masked or blocked off from the application of adhesive to the substrate during the coating of the substrate of tape  12 . 
     As described above, the pull tab  30  may be formed on different combinations of area configurations, such as areas  32 ,  34  and  36  as well as different edge shapes as described hereafter. 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the separable edge  24  between adjacent sheets  26  on the roll  10  extends completely through the roll  10 . The pull tab  30  which overlays the non-adhesive area  34  in  FIG. 4  enables a user to insert his or her finger or fingernail beneath the edge  24  and raise the end of the tab  30  away from the roll  12 . 
     The separable edge  24  may also be discontinuous as shown by the discontinuous line  42  in  FIG. 5  which is formed between two continuous severed or slit portions extending at least partially through the entire roll  10 . The discontinuity  42  defines a bridge which assists in maintaining the integrity of the slit or cut in the tape roll  10 . It is known that some roll tapes have memory which is defined as the tendency of the tape to return to its original elongated shape prior to winding into a roll. This shape memory can make the tape roll open up at the slit or “butterfly.” The bridge  42  assists in maintaining the roll  24  in its desired wound shape. This is shown more clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 3  where the discontinuity or bridge  42  remains connected to the underlying clean sheet  26  until the outer soiled sheet is completely unwrapped from the roll  10 . Just before the outer sheet  26  completely separates from the roll  10 , the bridge  42  then rips away and actually lifts the pull tab  30  radially outward thereby providing easy access to the next sheet  26  to be removed when soiled. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a pull tab  44  which is formed by a notch  46 , in the form of a semi-circle, in the separable edge  24 . The notch  46  overlays the non-adhesive area  32  and provides the tab  44  for a user&#39;s finger to begin the separation of the outer sheet  26  from the roll  10 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the notch  46  is provided with a discontinuity which acts as a bridge  48  as described above for the bridge  42  shown in FIG.  5 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , a pull tab  50  is disclosed in which a portion of the separable edge  24  overlaying the non-adhesive area  32  is provided with two oppositely directed notches  52  and  54 , each shown in the form of a semi-circle, by example only. Such recess  52  and  54  provides a tab  53  and  55 , respectively, which can be engaged by the user&#39;s fingers. 
     In  FIG. 10 , the recesses  52  and  54  are illustrated as including a discontinuity or bridge  56  and  58 , respectively. The bridges  56  and  58  function in the same manner as the discontinuities or bridges  42  and  48  described above. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 6 , the separable edge  60 , in this aspect of the invention, is formed as a score line or series of perforations including alternating connected and disconnected, severed or partially severed slits  62  extending at least partially through the roll  10  and the non-adhesive area  32 . 
     It is also possible to redefine the shape of the perforations  62  shown in  FIG. 6  by providing a larger discontinuity in the central portion of the edge of the perforation  60  generally overlaying a large portion of the pull tab area  32 . This larger discontinuity acts as a separable connecting bridge as described above. 
     In  FIG. 11 , a pull tab  64  is disclosed in which an edge  66  of the entire non-adhesive area  68  defining the pull tab  64  is aligned with the separable edge  24  extending through the roll  10 . The non-adhesive area  68  still defines an easy access point for the user&#39;s finger to engage the portion of the edge  24  of the outermost sheet to begin separation of the outermost sheet  26  from the roll  10 . 
     All of the different pull tab configurations described above operate in the same manner to enable easy removal of an outermost sheet  26  from the roll  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the user grasps a portion of the pull tab  30  overlaying the non-adhesive area  32  to the left side of the separable edge  24  in the orientation shown in FIG.  2  and exerts a radially outward pulling force to separate one edge of the outermost sheet  26  from the roll  10 . The outermost sheet is unwound from the roll  10  until the other end of the sheet  26  pulls free of the roll  10  as shown in FIG.  3 . This leaves a new, clean outermost sheet  26  having one portion of the non-adhesive area  32  on one side of the separable edge and another portion of the non-adhesive area  32  on the other side of the edge  24 . 
     The pull tabs and non-adhesive areas have been described as being formed on an outermost surface of the sheets  26  when the sheets are wound in the form of the roll  10 . It is also possible to mount the pull tabs and the non-adhesive areas on the back surface of each sheet  26  when the sheets  26  are wound into the roll  10 . However, since the back surface of the sheets already have a limited amount of non-adhesive qualities so as to enable an easy pulling of an outermost sheet  26  from the underlying sheet  26  during removal of the outermost sheet from the roll  10 , the non-adhesive areas would have to have a greater non-adhering capability so as to permit easier release or actually a total lack of adhesion between the outermost sheet and an underlying sheet in the non-adhesive area. 
     It is also possible in an aspect of the invention to form the pull tabs on the back surface of each sheet  26 , and to have pull tabs  69  formed intermittently in a longitudinally spaced manner as shown in  FIG. 12A  in the same manner as the formation of the pull tabs on the outer surface of the sheets  26  as well as in a continuous longitudinal stripe along the entire longitudinal extent of the back surface of the tape as shown in FIG.  12 B. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  disclose alternate handles  70  and  72 , respectively, which may be used to conveniently manipulate the tape roll  10  to pick up debris, dirt, lint, etc. The handle  70  has an end portion which defines a hand grip  74 . An opposite end portion, not shown, releasably receives the roll  10 , typically in a press fit, by example only. In  FIG. 14 , the handle  72  has a bent end portion  76 , one end of which releasably receives the roll  10 , such as in a press fit, by example only. The bent end portion  76  can have a continuous, elongated hand grip portion  78 . Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the hand grip portion  78  is releasably attachable to the bent portion  76  so that the handgrip portion  78  functions as an extension. Threads, snap together, press fit, connections, etc., may be employed between the handgrip portion  78  and the bent portion  76 . 
     In summary, there has been disclosed a unique lint remover which provides non-adhesive pull tabs along the separable edges between adjacent sheets of a tape roll to facilitate easy removal of a soiled outermost sheet from the roll to expose a clean inner disposed sheet.