Adhesive Expanded Metal Lath

Abstract

Expanded metal lath products, or non-metal facsimile products, are disclosed with moisture resistant pressure sensitive adhesive covered by release sheets, and the use of such products in drywall seaming and their manufacture.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A lattice lath having first and opposite sides with a pressure sensitive adhesive applied in a plurality of stripes on the first side and a release sheet over the pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         2 . The lattice lath of  claim 1  further comprising a release sheet over the opposite side. 
     
     
         3 . The lattice lath of  claim 1  wherein the lattice lath is expanded metal lath. 
     
     
         4 . The lattice lath of  claim 1  wherein the lattice lath is substantially planar. 
     
     
         5 . The lattice lath of  claim 1  wherein the lattice lath has two planar portions joined at a flexible corner. 
     
     
         6 . The lattice lath of  claim 1  wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive has a tack strength of at least 5. 
     
     
         7 . The lattice lath of  claim 6  wherein the weight of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the lath is between one and two grams per square foot. 
     
     
         8 . The lattice lath of  claim 1  wherein the pick count of the lattice grid is between 2 and 15 picks per inch. 
     
     
         9 . The lattice lath of  claim 3  wherein wire gauge of the metal lattice forming material is between 17 and 32. 
     
     
         10 . The lattice lath of  claim 6  wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is resistant to short-term hydrolysis failure. 
     
     
         11 . A method of seaming a drywall surface having a seam therein comprising removing the release sheet from the pressure sensitive adhesive of the lattice lath of  claim 1 , applying said lattice lath over at least a portion of the drywall seam so that the pressure sensitive adhesive holds the lattice lath in position, and applying drywall mud over the lattice lath. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the lattice lath has a pick count between 2 and 15 picks per inch and the drywall mud penetrates through the openings between picks to the drywall surface. 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing the lattice lath of  claim 1  by passing a lath scrim beneath a glue head, dispensing pressure sensitive adhesive from the glue head onto the lath scrim, marrying a release sheet to the adhesive on the lath scrim, and cutting the lath scrim to lengths between one and eight feet. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the lath scrim at a rate between one and two grams per square foot.