Vandenberg, Jacobus (Bakkersdreef 25, Kalmthout, B-2920, BE)
Helbig, Cornelia (Bakkersdreef 25, Kalmthout, B-2920, BE)
Vandenberg, Jacobus (Bakkersdreef 25, Kalmthout, B-2920, BE)
| 1. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape in order to apply to fluid holding and transporting devices with consists of a metal foil layer, provided with a primer and printed symbols on top, a transparent protective top layer and an adhesive as back layer, covered by a protective peelable layer. |
| 2. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to claim 1 and characterised in that the metal foil layer has a thickness between 0,015 and 0,08 mm. |
| 3. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to one of the previous claims and characterised in that the metal foil layer is selected from Al, steel, stainless steel, Cu, Fe or their alloys. |
| 4. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to one of the previous claims and characterised in that the transparent protective top layer is selected from polyester, PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene or Mylar®. |
| 5. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to claim 4 and characterised in that the transparent protective layer is provided with an adhesive in order to cover the printed matter. |
| 6. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to one of the previous claims and characterised in that the adhesive layer is an acryl containing adhesive with less than 8 PPM Cl. |
| 7. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to one of the previous claims and characterised in that the symbols are provided by a technique selected from rotary flexoprinting, rotogravure, flexographic printing, sieve printing or digital printing. |
| 8. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to one of the previous claims and characterised in that the peelable layer is a silicon paper. |
| 9. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to claims 18 and characterised in that the tape is resistant to temperatures from 40 degrees Celsius to +190 degrees Celsius. |
| 10. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to claims 18 and characterised in that the tape is resistant for a short time to a temperature of +220 degrees Celsius. 11. |
| 11. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to claims 110 and characterised in that the tape is wrapped around a fluid pipe in such a way to create a flag. |
| 12. | A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to the previous claims and characterised in that when the tape is wound around a fluid pipe, both ends overlap for about 15 %. 13.A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to the previous claims and characterised in that the tape is rolledup and can be cut into strips of a desired length. 14.A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to the previous claims and characterised in that a first end of the tape is wrapped around the fluid pipe and the second free end is folded upwardly adhering to the back layer, and covers completely the first end. 15.A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to the claims 114 and characterised in that the visibility of the tape is guaranteed up to 25 meters with respect to the measures of the symbols . 16.A selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape according to the previous claims and characterised in that the tape is used as a temporary sealing for pipes. 17.A method to apply a selfadhesive heat resistant metal marking tape around a pipe by covering the periphery with a first layer, folding back the other end and adhering both back tape layers, and covering the first layer with a second layer in, order to create a flag. |
The invention concerns an improved marking tape provided with symbols according to the safety procedures in order to cover surfaces influenced by thermal changes or dangerous fluids . More particularly, the heat-resistant marking tape 0 consists mainly of a laminated structure with a metal foil layer and safety symbols printed thereon, a self-adhesive layer and a transparent protective top layer with the goal to improve the durability and the resistance due to the variability of the underlying 5 surface. Moreover the invention is targeted to be applied to surfaces such as pipes, tubes, barrels, tanks, valves, throttles, pumps, taps, ... for identification purposes and mainly located above soil surface. Referring to the previous targets, it is 0 obvious that similar substrates confronted with thermal changes or dangerous fluids, could be considered in the spirit of the invention. More particularly, in industry, fluids are transported through pipes of different diameters and 5 made of different materials. These pipes have to be marked and identified to prevent accidental errors by workmen and by rescue teams in case of calamities. Q According to the legislation in industry, transport and storage devices of dangerous fluids need to be identified and marked. Safety and warning symbols have to be applied to the surface of valves, throttles, pumps, containers, barrels, pipes, taps,... 5 in order to detect the origin, the risks and the content with respect to for instance DIN 2403/NEN 3050/NBN 69/EG 92/58. In the industry, due to a huge variety in diameters and measures of storage and transport devices, a tremendous problem arises to Q identify and mark them in a reliable way.
Due to the transport of fluids in pipes, heat conduction occurs among the various exterior surfaces, made of Cr-Ni, steel, pvc, kevlar, epoxy, Ti,..., and this creates a major problem for workers. c Due to the influence of temperature and when used outside, weather conditions, pipes and other devices are remarkable difficult to mark accurately. Another problem arises when a small fluid loss or leaks occur, especially when dangerous chemical Q compounds or high-pressure steam could escape.
Finally, when workmen need to clean the outer surface of pipelines before applying marking tapes, the smell of cleaning compounds could intoxicate them, especially in hot and closed conditions.
In the state of the art it is known to mark these fluid holding or transporting devices with labels made of polymers such as vinyl or polyester. We found that a rather limited durability is a major inconvenience. When a label looses its identification characteristics, the safety for workmen decreases tremendously. Our experience learns that the resistance against temperature changes, acid attack, weather conditions,... is rather fragile for the known prior art labels. These labels could crimp, crack, discolour and even loose their adherent capabilities due to temperatures above 80 degrees Celsius for vinyl containing labels and above 130 degrees Celsius for those of polyester.
Moreover, the labels known in the prior art are restricted to indicate the origin or the direction of the fluid and they are simply applied on a particular spot of the fluid line. They do not mark the complete periphery of the pipe. For workmen or rescue teams, it is difficult to identify the pipe from every direction.
Nevertheless, when a label is applied to the periphery of a pipe, the spot where both ends touch or overlap each other, is a critical point to get loose or penetration of liquids due to ambient influences .
Moreover, we discovered that the prior art marking tapes on a pipe with a diameter less than 75 mm have a poor visibility when inspected from a distance. So, we found that a more durable, resistant tape could overcome these inconveniences. Our marking tape has a layered structure consisting of a metal foil, with on top printed symbols covered by a protective layer and an adhesive back layer with a peelable temporary protective paper. Preferable, the tape is rolled-up and can be cut in strips with desirable length. A first advantage of such a marking tape is its durability and heat resistance but still keeping its flexible characteristic in order to wrap around a cylindrical device or rolled up for storage without unpleasant folds.
The visibility from all sides around a cylindrical device is a second important characteristic. A safety of warning symbol should be easily accessible for workmen. This point could be realised by using the so-called flag.
As we all know, corrosive attack is a major problem for fluid transporting pipes. In order to overcome this, the use of an adhesive, which is almost free of Cl, is important to inhibit this process, which is a potential danger when using Cr-Ni tubes.
A next advantage is the use of our marking tape as a temporary sealing, when a small leak or loss of chemical compounds or hot steam occurs, but also to prevent moisture and dirt penetration.
A detailed description of our invention will be explained in the following part.
The marking tape consists of a layered structure, comprising a metal foil, provided with a primer in order to print symbols in different colours on top of it, and covered by protective layer, and an self- adhesive back layer, temporary protected by a paper layer.
Preferable, the metal foil layer has a thickness between 0,015 and 0,08 mm and selected from Al, steel, stainless steel, Cu, Fe or their alloys. It is obvious for the skilled person with regard to the goal of the invention that still other metals could be used to obtain the same technical characteristics such as flexibility, durability, temperature resistant, wearability,...
We found that a metallic foil for marking and identification purposes for fluid holding and transporting devices at changing temperatures from - 40 degrees Celsius up to + 190 degrees Celsius, enables a necessary flexibility and a durability. Even temperatures up to + 220 degrees Celsius can be countered for a short period. By using a metal foil, a reflection of light increases the visibility and consequently decreases surface temperatures of the marking tape.
This characteristic inhibits the discoloration of the tape. A primer is provided on top of the metal foil in order to provide printed symbols.
According to the legislation and depending on industry requests, a variety of symbols and warning signs in different colours can be printed. So, many combinations between the colours of the symbols and the background can be made. Several printing techniques could be used to provide these identification signs. Preferably but not limited to these following techniques, rotary flexoprinting, rotogravure, flexographic printing, sieve printing or digital printing are very useful. Photodegradable inks should be excluded and more particularly an UV resistant ink is necessary when influenced by exterior ambient conditions such as solar rays. Mainly and according the obliged visibility, the identification signs are accessible from all sides when applied to the pipe surface. All kinds of symbols like direction arrows, colour codes, letters, numbers,... need to be visible from a distance in order to warn workmen precariously. In order to guarantee this characteristic, from a distance of about 8 m, symbols need to be 20 mm; from about 17 m, 40 mm and form about 25 m, 60 mm symbols are required. This list is not exhaustive and limited to these measures, but in order to fulfil safety matters, they are indicative for practices.
On top of the printed symbols, a transparent protective polymer film will be applied in order to reinforce and to isolate the printed matter. Depending of the application and due to heat resistant characteristics, polyester, pvc, polyethylene, polypropylene, Mylar®, ... are a non- limited number of possible synthetics solutions. This transparent layer is provided with an adhesive in order to cover the printed matter. Under the metal foil, an adhesive layer is provided in order to apply to a surface. Due to corrosion problems, an adhesive with a minor amount of Cl is preferable. Especially, when the target surface is made of Cr-Ni, a less than 8 ppm Cl containing acryl adhesive should recommended. In order to protect this adhesive layer temporary before use, a peelable paper layer, such as silicon paper is provided.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, the following embodiments will illustrate the core of the invention.
Figure 1 : a section view of the tape Figure 2 (a,b,c,d) : a method to apply Figure 3 (a,b,c) : a flag around a pipe
In one embodiment the marking tape is rolled-up and has a length of 10 to 100 m. Depending of the application and the visibility, the width of the tape is between 19 and 300 mm. Strips of the preferred length can be cut in order to apply it on the surface.
According to figure 1, a laminated marking tape (1) consisting of a metal foil layer (2), a primer (3), printed symbols on top of it (4) , a transparent protective cover layer (5) and a adhesive on the back (6) with a peelable layer (7), enables to remove easily the folds in order to a smooth and equal attaching. Surprisingly, we discovered that the previous characteristic is obtained, due to combining the protective top layer and the metal foil layer.
Figure 2 (a,b,c,d) shows a wrap of a self-adhesive metal marking tape around a pipe. The tape (1) is wound around the pipe (8) and creates an overlap (9) . The overlap of both ends is preferable about 15 % . Due to the overlap, the need to clean the substrate before applying the tape is eliminated and it decreases enormously the risks of corrosion for pipelines and more particularly for new pipelines.
In another embodiment and referring to figure 3 (a,b,c) the metal marking tape can be used as a flag (10,11) by applying the tape around the periphery of the pipe in order to create a visibility on both sides .
In order to obtain this flag (10,11) a first end (10) of the tape is wrapped completely around the pipe (8) from point X to Y and the second end that hangs down is folded upwardly (11) , adhering both back layers together (10,11) and finally overlap completely the first end (10) on the pipe from point X to Y with the with the second end (11) . This flag is very strong, rigid and stable due to the characteristics of the metal marking tape, as shown in figure 3b.
Due to this construction, it enables to create a flag rigid enough to keep its figure, even under wind influence. Regarding these figures (b,c) our invention is not limited to only these symbols or backgrounds, but in order to respect the safety legislation, all regular combinations can be printed. These figures are only illustrative.
In another embodiment, the metal tape could be applied as a sealing tape in order to create a temporary protection. It prevents the penetration of moisture and dirt and consequently reduces corrosive attack.