Tear tape

Paperboard mailing envelope showing PSA adhesive with release liner and with tear tape

Closed mailer being opened by pulling tear tape

Tear tape, also known as tearstrip or tear-off ribbon, is a narrow adhesive tape used to open packaging. The backing is often a narrow oriented polymer such as polypropylene but other polymers, yarns, and filaments are also used. Many tear tapes use a pressure sensitive adhesive but others have a heat-activated adhesive system.

Tear tape is usually attached to the inner surface of packaging: paper, paperboard, corrugated fiberboard or plastic film. It is used on common non-durable fast-moving consumer goods such as soft drinks, groceries or toiletries, as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars, to aid the opening of the packaging. It is also used in courier envelopes and corrugated boxes. Tear tape serves as an easy opening device for the consumer, where it obviates the need for opening tools such as scissors or knives, or the use of excessive force. Tear tape provides a guide on the tear area, thereby allowing more precise opening which reduces product spillage.

Tear tape is available in several constructions and has a variety of uses.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]

References

^ US 4773541, Riddell, Wilfred E., "Package with tear-away opening including an inner pull strip and outer guide tape", published 1988-09-27, assigned to Kimberly-Clark Corp.
^ US 4558785, Gordon, Robert L., "Tear tape openable container", published 1985-12-17, assigned to International Paper Co.
^ US 3098601, Anderson, Donald C.; Lucas, Malcolm B. & Watrous, Howard N., "Tear tape for thermoplastic packaging materials", published 1963-07-23, assigned to The Procter & Gamble Co.
^ US 6354739, Sheehan, Jr., Richard L.; Miner, Dean A. & Stagg, Timothy V., "Tear control closing tape and container with tear control closing tape", published 2002, assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Co.
^ US 3170619, Repko, John P., "Tear strip packaging", published 1965-02-23, assigned to The Dow Chemical Company

Yam, K. L., Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6

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