Drywall Tape

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved drywall tape for use in drywall installation applications. More specifically, the improved drywall tape is comprised of a woven mesh body portion positioned between, and fixedly attached to, two solid end portions. The shape and size of the mesh body portion is meant to substantially fill the valley created by two factory tapered edge portions of adjacently hung drywall sheets, thereby requiring less joint compound/drywall mud than would otherwise be required to finish the drywall joint and reducing labor/material costs. The shape and configuration of the improved drywall tape also enables the same to be used to finish an inside corner, and may further comprise an adhesive backing for easier installation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drywall tape for placement in a valley created by two adjacent sheets of drywall,
 wherein the drywall tape comprises:   a pair of end portions; and   a body portion positioned between and attached to said pair of end portions.   
     
     
         2 . The drywall tape of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of end portions are comprised of paper. 
     
     
         3 . The drywall tape of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of end portions further comprise an adhesive backing. 
     
     
         4 . The drywall tape of  claim 1 , wherein the valley has a depth and the body portion further comprises a thickness that is substantially equal to the depth. 
     
     
         5 . The drywall tape of  claim 1 , wherein the valley has a shape and the body portion substantially conforms to the shape. 
     
     
         6 . The drywall tape of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of openings that extend from said top surface to said bottom surface. 
     
     
         7 . The drywall tape of  claim 7 , wherein the bottom surface further comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The drywall tape of  claim 7 , wherein the bottom surface further comprises a nipple. 
     
     
         9 . The drywall tape of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion bottom is comprised of a woven mesh. 
     
     
         10 . A drywall tape comprising:
 a first solid end portion;   a second solid end portion; and   a mesh body portion comprised of a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of openings that extend from said top surface to said bottom surface.   
     
     
         11 . The drywall tape of  claim 10 , wherein the mesh body portion is positioned between and attached to said first solid end portion and second solid end portion. 
     
     
         12 . The drywall tape of  claim 10 , wherein the mesh body portion has a thickness of between ⅛ and ⅜ inches, as measured between the top and bottom surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The drywall tape of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first solid end portion and the second solid end portion further comprise an adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The drywall tape of  claim 10 , wherein the bottom surface of the mesh body portion further comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . The drywall tape of  claim 10 , wherein the bottom surface of the mesh body portion further comprises a nipple. 
     
     
         16 . The drywall tape of  claim 10 , wherein the mesh body portion has a width of between 3 and ⅞ inches and 4 and ¼ inches, as measured between the first and second solid end portions. 
     
     
         17 . The drywall tape of  claim 10 , wherein the mesh body portion further comprises a pair of tapered side portions. 
     
     
         18 . A drywall tape comprising:
 a first solid end portion comprised of a first adhesive backing;   a second solid end portion comprised of a second adhesive backing; and   a body portion positioned between said first and second solid end portions, wherein the body portion is further comprised of a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of tapered side portions, and a plurality of openings that extend from said top surface to said bottom surface.   
     
     
         19 . The drywall tape of  claim 18 , wherein the mesh body portion has a width of between 3 and ⅞ inches and 4 and ¼ inches as measured between said first and second solid end portions and further comprises a nipple. 
     
     
         20 . The drywall tape of  claim 18 , wherein the mesh body portion has a thickness of between ⅛ and ⅜ inches, as measured between the top and bottom surfaces and further comprises an adhesive.