Adhesive tape with visual indicators and associated methods of use

摘要

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.

主权项

1. 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.