Crease Resistant HDPE Tape, Scrim and Coated Products Made Therefrom

Abstract

A crease resistant scrim reinforced coated fabric and associated high density polyethylene (HDPE) tapes that can be used in areas where esthetics are important such as rental tents where the material is constantly folded and installed. The scrim has woven HDPE tapes made from a resin to soften the tape, and a coating comprising a UV masterbatch to resist UV radiation, a Flame resistant (FR) masterbatch to resist fire. The resin with a relatively low flexural modulus and a relatively high Vicat softening point would reduces the scrim's crystallinity and avoids tape shrinkage during coating without overly weakening the tape.

1 . A crease resistant scrim comprising:
 interwoven oriented high density polyethylene (HDPE) tapes, wherein each tape comprises:   high density polyethylene (HDPE) and an olefinic based elastomer with a combination of a Vicat softening point between about 40° C. and about 100° C. and a flexural modulus below about 50 MPa.   
     
     
         2 . The crease resistant scrim of  claim 1  further comprising a flame resistant (FR) masterbatch. 
     
     
         3 . The crease resistant scrim of  claim 1  further comprising an ultraviolet (UV) resistant master batch. 
     
     
         4 . The crease resistant scrim of  claim 2  further comprising an ultraviolet (UV) resistant master batch. 
     
     
         5 . The crease resistant scrim of  claim 1  wherein the each tape comprises about 64.75 percent by weight high density polyethylene (HDPE). 
     
     
         6 . The crease resistant scrim of  claim 1  wherein each tape comprises about 25 percent by weight of the olefinic based elastomer with the combination of a Vicat softening point between about 40° C. and about 100° C. and a flexural modulus below about 50 MPa. 
     
     
         7 . The crease resistant scrim of  claim 2  wherein the each tape comprises about 9 percent by weight FR masterbatch 
     
     
         8 . The crease resistant scrim of  claim 3  wherein the each tape comprises about 1.25 percent by weight UV masterbatch. 
     
     
         9 . The crease resistant scrim of  claim 1  wherein the olefinic based elastomer has a Vicat softening point of approximately 59° C. and 1% secant flexural modulus of approximately 11.4 MPa. 
     
     
         10 . The crease resistant scrim of  claim 1 , wherein the tape fineness is about 825 denier. 
     
     
         11 . A crease resistant tape comprising:
 high density polyethylene (HDPE); and   an olefinic based elastomer with a combination of a Vicat softening point between about 40° C. and about 100° C. and a flexural modulus below about 50 MPa.   
     
     
         12 . The crease resistant tape of  claim 11  wherein the olefinic based elastomer comprises propylene copolymer elastomers. 
     
     
         13 . The crease resistant tape of  claim 11  wherein the olefinic based elastomer comprises propylene/olefin elastomers, made with a single site or metallocene catalyst. 
     
     
         14 . The crease resistant tape of  claim 11  wherein the olefinic based elastomer comprises propylene-ethylene copolymers. 
     
     
         15 . The crease resistant tape of  claim 11  wherein the olefinic based elastomer comprises polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers. 
     
     
         16 . The crease resistant tape of  claim 11  wherein the tape further comprises:
 about 64.75 percent by weight high density polyethylene (HDPE); 
 about 25 percent by weight olefinic based elastomer; 
 about 9 percent by weight FR masterbatch; and 
 about 1.25 percent by weight UV masterbatch. 
 
     
     
         17 . The crease resistant tape of  claim 11  wherein the olefinic based elastomer has a Vicat softening point of approximately 59° C. and 1% secant flexural modulus of approximately 11.4 MPa. 
     
     
         18 . The crease resistant tape of  claim 11 , wherein the tape fineness is about 825 denier. 
     
     
         19 . A product comprising:
 a flexible substrate; and   a crease resistant scrim attached to the flexible substrate, the crease resistant scrim comprising:
 interwoven oriented high density polyethylene (HDPE) tapes, wherein each tape comprises:
 high density polyethylene (HDPE); and 
 an olefinic based elastomer with a combination of a Vicat softening point between about 40° C. and about 100° C. and a flexural modulus below about 50 MPa. 
 
   
     
     
         20 . The product of  claim 19 , wherein the flexible substrate comprises a coated fabric. 
     
     
         21 . The product of  claim 19 , wherein the olefinic based elastomer has a Vicat softening point of approximately 59° C. and 1% secant flexural modulus of approximately 11.4 MPa. 
     
     
         22 . The product of  claim 19 , wherein the tape further comprises:
 about 64.75 percent by weight high density polyethylene (HDPE);   about 25 percent by weight olefinic based elastomer;   about 9 percent by weight FR masterbatch; and   about 1.25 percent by weight UV masterbatch.   
     
     
         23 . The product of  claim 19 , wherein the tape fineness is about 825 denier.