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. hi 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: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention applied to a carton.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a tape making machine that may be used to create the present invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 illustrating how a graspable handle may be formed by the present invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 illustrating how the graspable handle is used to remove the tape.

Figure 5 is a top view of the embodiment shown Figure 1.

Figure 6 illustrates how a grapable handle maybe formed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 illustrates how a grapable handle maybe formed in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 illustrates how a grapable handle maybe formed in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 illustrates how a grapable handle maybe formed in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 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 Figure 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 Figure 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 Figures 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 Figure 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 Figure 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, Figures 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 Figure 8, handle 28 is first lifted to facilitate the removal of tape section 20.

Figures 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. Figure 10 shows how handle 38 maybe first lifted so as to remove tape 30.

Figures 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. Figure 13 shows how handle 60 maybe first lifted so as to remove tape 53.

As shown in Figure 11, a typical tape length 140 made in accordance with the present invention will generally include a substrate 141. Substrate 141 maybe 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 Figures 6,8, 10, and 13 the tape sections maybe formed as discreet or individual units or sections. Alternately, as shown in Figures 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.

Figure 2 illustrates a conventional tape making machine 190 that maybe 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 Figure 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 Figure 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 Figures 7-9 are created in a similar manner. As shown in Figure 7, a notched cut 110 may be used to form the tape lengths. Figure 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 fonned 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 Figures 7-10 are used in a similar manner.

With respect to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 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.