Marking tape, method of applying and method of manufacturing the marking tape

Abstract

A marking tape for application on pavement which comprises a core layer and an adhesive layer outside the core layer. The core layer is formed of a combination of a conforming layer of a thermoplastic material, a marking layer of a cross-linked material, and a fibrous layer. The conforming layer and the marking layer are contiguous and/or directly interconnected with each other. The marking tape is preferably relatively light weight and relatively inexpensive.

1 . A method of applying a marking tape on pavement comprising the steps of:
 providing a marking tape;   placing a portion of the tape oriented with the adhesive layer on the pavement;   pressing the portion of the tape on the pavement while maintaining the marking tape at a temperature within a range of about 0° C. to about 50° C.,   
       wherein the marking tape comprises:
 a core layer and an adhesive layer; 
 wherein the adhesive layer is adapted for retaining the marking tape on the pavement; and 
 the core layer comprises a conforming layer of a thermoplastic material, a marking layer of a cross-linked material, and a fibrous layer; wherein the fibrous layer comprises a nonwoven layer and a netting layer, wherein the netting layer is separate from the nonwoven layer; 
 wherein the conforming layer and the marking layer are at least partially contiguous and/or directly interconnected with each other; 
 wherein the nonwoven layer is partially embedded in the conforming layer and in contact with the marking layer; 
 wherein the netting layer is imbedded within the conforming layer and is in contact with the adhesive layer, 
 wherein the netting layer and the nonwoven layers are in contact with each other; 
 wherein the conforming layer is at least partially arranged between the netting layer and the nonwoven layer. 
 
     
     
         2 . A method of manufacturing a marking tape, comprising the steps of:
 providing thermoplastic material, a cross-linkable material, a fibrous layer formed of a nonwoven layer and/or a netting layer, and an adhesive;   merging the thermoplastic material, the cross-linkable material, the fibrous layer, and the adhesive to form the marking tape,   
       wherein the marking tape comprises:
 a core layer and an adhesive layer; 
 wherein the adhesive layer is adapted for retaining the marking tape on the pavement; and 
 the core layer comprises a conforming layer of a thermoplastic material, a marking layer of a cross-linked material, and a fibrous layer; wherein the fibrous layer comprises a nonwoven layer and a netting layer, wherein the netting layer is separate from the nonwoven layer; 
 wherein the conforming layer and the marking layer are at least partially contiguous and/or directly interconnected with each other; 
 wherein the nonwoven layer is partially embedded in the conforming layer and in contact with the marking layer; 
 wherein the netting layer is imbedded within the conforming layer and is in contact with the adhesive layer, 
 wherein the netting layer and the nonwoven layers are in contact with each other; 
 wherein the conforming layer is at least partially arranged between the netting layer and the nonwoven layer. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
 extruding the thermoplastic material to form a conforming layer.   
     
     
         4 . The method  claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
 laminating or calendering the conforming layer and at least one of the netting layer and the nonwoven layer;   coating the cross-linkable material on the netting layer and/or the nonwoven layer arranged on the conforming layer.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a nonwoven layer and a netting layer for forming, in combination, the fibrous layer;   running the nonwoven layer over a first roller and the netting layer over a second roller;   providing the thermoplastic material between the nonwoven layer and the netting layer;   pressing the nonwoven-layer, the thermoplastic material and the netting layer between the first and second rollers.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
 coextruding of one or multiple layers with at least two different thermoplastic materials to form the conforming layer.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of a styrenic block copolymer, polyolefin, polyolefin blend, elastomeric alloy, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic copolyester, thermoplastic polyamide, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a mixture of two or more thermoplastic materials. 
     
     
         9 . The marking tape of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a mixture of two or more polyolefins. 
     
     
         10 . The marking tape of  claim 1 , wherein the marking tape has a thickness in the range 10 μm to 1000 μm. 
     
     
         11 . The marking tape of  claim 1 , wherein the marking tape, with the fibrous layer removed, has an E modulus in the range 10 to 140 N/mm 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The marking tape of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked material is selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane, epoxy, (meth)acrylate, acrylic, phenol or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The marking tape of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive selected from the group consisting of untackified natural rubber, tackified natural rubber, olefins, silicones, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyurethanes, styrene-isoprene-styrene, and styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene-propene-styrene, or tackified or untackified acrylic adhesives and copolymers thereof including acidic groups. 
     
     
         14 . The marking tape of  claim 1 , further comprising a multiplicity of reflective elements. 
     
     
         15 . The marking tape of  claim 1 , comprising a generally flat or a structured surface, and wherein the structured surface is formed by a multiplicity of protrusions protruding from the marking tape.