Box-sealing tape, parcel tape, packing tape, or shipping tape is a
pressure-sensitive tape
Pressure-sensitive tape or pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (PSA tape) is an adhesive tape that sticks when pressure is applied without the need for a solvent (such as water) or heat for activation. It is also known in various countries as self ...
used for closing or sealing
corrugated fiberboard
Corrugated fiberboard, corrugated cardboard, or corrugated is a type of packaging material consisting of a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards. It is made on "flute lamination machines" or "corrugators" and is used for maki ...
boxes. It consists of a
pressure-sensitive adhesive
Pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA, self-adhesive, self-stick adhesive) is a type of nonreactive adhesive which forms a bond when pressure is applied to bond the adhesive with a surface. No solvent, water, or heat is needed to activate the adhesive ...
coated onto a backing material which is usually a
polypropylene
Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications. It is produced via chain-growth polymerization from the monomer Propene, propylene.
Polypropylene belongs to the group of polyolefin ...
or
polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers that contain one or two ester linkages in every repeat unit of their main chain. As a specific material, it most commonly refers to a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Polyesters include some natura ...
film which is oriented to have strength in both the long (machine) direction and the cross direction.
Common packing tape is 50 mm wide, but narrower and wider variants are also common, like for example 36 mm, 48 mm and 72 mm (approx 1.5 in, 2 in and 3 in). A variety of backing strengths and calipers as well as
adhesive
Adhesive, also known as glue, cement, mucilage, or paste, is any non-metallic substance applied to one or both surfaces of two separate items that binds them together and resists their separation.
The use of adhesives offers certain advantage ...
formulations are available. The thickness of the tape may be in the order of 40
μm
The micrometre (Commonwealth English as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American English), also commonly known by the non-SI term micron, is a unit of length in the International System ...
for low strength, 45 μm for normal strength, or 50 μm and up for extra strength.
It is often transparent or tan (beige, buff, brown), but can be had in any color with or without prints and logos. The length of a roll varies, but can be around 50-70 meters.
Uses
The tape is most often used as a closure for regular slotted containers (RSCs). A "single strip" or "center seam" closure is applied over the center seams of a box extending onto the end panels.
The tape can be used as a "six-strip" closure or "H-seal" by applying cross strips on the ends of the box. This is used when a relatively weak tape is used or when extra box reinforcement is needed. This method also seals the box to help keep contaminants out.
This tape has also been used by artists (e.g.,
Mark Jenkins) as a way to create molds of objects, as the strength of the tape allows for a strong shell for the mold when completed.
Application
The tape can be applied manually with a stationary dispenser but is more often applied with a hand-held
tape dispenser
A tape dispenser is an object that holds a roll of tape and has a mechanism at one end to shear the tape. Dispensers vary widely based on the tape they dispense. Abundant and most common, clear tape dispensers (like those used in an office or a ...
: this allows the user to more efficiently place the tape on the box, cut it off, and rub it down.
Automated machinery for application of tape to high-speed lines is also common.
Environmental considerations
Based on the solid
waste hierarchy
The waste management hierarchy, waste hierarchy, or "hierarchy of waste management options", is a tool#Non-material usage, tool used in the evaluation of processes that Environmental protection, protect the environment alongside resource consu ...
, the quantity and size of a tape should be minimized without reducing necessary functionality. Material content of a tape should comply with applicable regulations. Life cycle assessments of the tape and the item being taped are useful to identify and improve possible environmental effects. For example, there may be instances where the use of a PSA tape, compared to an alternative solution, improves the overall environmental impact: or vice versa.
If a tape remains on corrugated box during recycling, a tape should be chosen which does not hinder box recyclability. For example, when taped corrugated boxes are recycled, film backed box sealing tapes do not hinder box recycling: the PSA adhesive stays with the backing and is easily removed.
See also
*
Case sealer
*
List of adhesive tapes
The following is a list of adhesive tapes with pressure-sensitive adhesives:
References
{{packaging
Adhesive Tape
Adhesive tape is one of many varieties of backing materials coated with an adhesive. Several types of adhesives can be u ...
References
*
ASTM
ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials, is a standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical international standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems and s ...
D5486 Standard Specification for Pressure Sensitive Tape for Packaging, Box Closure, and Sealing
*ASTM D1974 Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing and Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes.
* Yam, K.L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009,
External links
*
{{packaging
Packaging
Adhesive tape