Elastomeric tape with enhanced stretch characteristics

Abstract

An elastomeric tape having a shape configuration that provides an enhanced longitudinal stretch characteristic is provided herein. The exemplary tape comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side and a second side opposite the first side where the first side comprises a series of alternating peaks and troughs and the second side comprises a series of alternating peaks and troughs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An elastomeric tape having one or more of an enhanced stretch characteristic along a longitudinal axis of the elastomeric tape, the elastomeric tape comprising:
 a first surface;   a second surface opposite the first surface;   a first side having a shape configuration comprising a first series of alternating peaks and troughs; and   a second side having a shape configuration comprising a second series of alternating peaks and troughs.   
     
     
         2 . The elastomeric tape of  claim 1 , wherein a peak on the second side is aligned across a width of the elastomeric tape with a trough on the first side, and a trough on the second side is aligned across the width of the elastomeric tape with a peak on the first side. 
     
     
         3 . The elastomeric tape of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the elastomeric tape taken between a first peak on the first side and a first peak on the second side comprises one of 10 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, 20 mm, 27 mm, or 30 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The elastomeric tape of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between a first peak on the first side and a second, adjacent peak on the first side comprises one of 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, 18 mm, or 20 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The elastomeric tape of  claim 4 , wherein a distance between a first peak on the second side and a second, adjacent peak on the second side comprises one of 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, 18 mm, or 20 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The elastomeric tape of  claim 5 , wherein the distance between the first peak on the first side and the second, adjacent peak on the first side is the same as the distance between the first peak on the second side and the second, adjacent peak on the second side. 
     
     
         7 . The elastomeric tape of  claim 1 , wherein a tolerance of the elastomeric tape taken between a first trough on the first side and a first trough on the second side comprises one of 3 mm, 5 mm, 5.5 mm, or 8 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The elastomeric tape of  claim 1 , wherein the peaks and the troughs of the first and second sides are pointed at their apexes. 
     
     
         9 . The elastomeric tape of  claim 1 , wherein the peaks and the troughs of the first and second sides are rounded at their apexes. 
     
     
         10 . The elastomeric tape of  claim 1 , wherein an adhesive is deposited on the second surface of the elastomeric tape. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing an elastomeric tape having an enhanced mechanical stretch characteristic, the method comprising:
 providing an elastomeric tape having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side, and a second side, wherein the first side and the second side are linear and are in parallel alignment with each other; and   cutting the elastomeric tape such that the first side has a shape configuration comprising a first series of alternating peaks and troughs and the second side has a shape configuration comprising a second series of alternating peaks and troughs.   
     
     
         12 . The method of manufacture of  claim 11 , wherein the elastomeric tape is cut such that such that a peak on the second side is aligned across a width of the elastomeric tape with a trough on the first side and a trough on the second side is aligned across the width of the elastomeric tape with a peak on the first side. 
     
     
         13 . The method of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein prior to being cut, the elastomeric tape stretches to a first degree in response to a fixed stretch force, and wherein subsequent to being cut, the elastomeric tape stretches to a second degree in response to the fixed stretch force, wherein the second degree of stretch is greater than the first degree of stretch. 
     
     
         14 . The method of manufacturing of  claim 11 , further comprising subsequent to cutting the elastomeric tape, positioning the tape within a tape dispenser. 
     
     
         15 . The method of manufacture of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 applying at least a portion of the cut elastomeric tape to one or more seams or one or more hems of an article using the tape dispenser; and   activating the portion of the cut elastomeric tape such that the portion of the cut elastomeric tape is adhered to the one or more seams or the one or more hems.   
     
     
         16 . The method of manufacture of  claim 15 , wherein the elastomeric tape is activated using at least one of heat, light, ultrasound, mechanical pressure, or a chemical process. 
     
     
         17 . An article having an elastomeric tape that provides an enhanced mechanical stretch characteristic at one or more seams or hems of the article, the article comprising:
 a first panel of material;   a second panel of material, where the second panel of material abuts the first panel of material at least one seam; and   an elastomeric tape used to affix the first panel of material to the second panel of material at the at least one seam, the elastomeric tape having a shape configuration comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface is affixed to the first panel and the second panel at the seam; 
 a first side having a shape configuration comprising a first series of alternating peaks and troughs; and 
 a second side having a shape configuration comprising a second series of alternating peaks and troughs on the second side. 
   
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one seam is curved, and wherein an entirety of the second surface of the elastomeric tape is adherent to the at least one seam throughout the seam's length. 
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the article further comprises one or more hem lines and wherein the elastomeric tape is used to reinforce the one or more hem lines. 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 18 , wherein the article comprises one of a shoe, an apparel item for an upper torso of a wearer, or an apparel item for a lower torso of the wearer.