Pressure Sensitive PS Tapes, Labels and Roll Stocks

Pressure Sensitive (PS) Tapes, Labels and Roll Stocks 

The methods of application of pressure sensitive adhesives onto substrates, has been done previously in this chapter (roll application for water-based, solvent-based or hot melt adhesives, dies). These pressure sensitive products may be applied on other substrates, by using roll application equipments. 

The fast unwinders may work at fairly high speeds upto 50 m/min, and they may also adapt to the shapes of goods in some way. (Figs 93 and 94). All the main suppliers of PS tapes and labels 3M, Avery Dennison, TESA, SCAPA etc. supply such unwinding and application equipment. 

It is interesting here to compare the three techniques which are used in packaging for cases and cartons closing in large plants, as far as the available speeds, strength, costs, ease of application, ease of opening are concerned. In the past, cases were closed and sealed with staplers. This was a fairly slow and manual application, and it is less and less used, and only for small jobs, small production output. For the medium speed production lines upto 5 cases per minute, pressure sensitive tapes, applied by automatic unwinders, are suitable and used. 

For the fast packaging lines, 20 to 30 corrugated cardboard cases per minute, only the hot melt adhesives are suitable, because they may be applied at high speeds such as 20 m per min, and they set very fast, in 1 to 3 s, so that the cases may be processed further on the line immediately (stacking, storage and shipment). 

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