Cellophane Tape

Invented by : Richard Drew

Invented in year : 1930

Cellophane Tape is a cellulose-based, pressure sensitive adhesive tape. Cellophane Tape consists of a backing to which an adhesive substance is affixed for the purpose of joining materials with a surface bond. Usually, a film of cellulose provides the backing for adherends made from chemically treated petroleum by-products that create the tape's stickiness. Some of these Tapes are still prepared with natural rubber, while the majority of them are made form synthetic materials. The backing for cellophane tape usually consists of cellulose acetate, a synthetic derivative of cellulose, which comes from wood pulp or cotton seeds. The cellulose is chemically treated with acetic acid and anhydride, and the side that won't receive an adhesive coating is treated with a release agent that enables the tape to be wound and unwound without sticking together. Although this compound varies among manufacturers, some commonly used substances include stearato chromic chloride and polystearic carbonate. Prior to the application of the adhesive, the adherend side of the backing may be primed with a solvent or aqueous dispersions such as nitrile rubber or chlorinated rubber. To produce the final adhesive substance, some manufacturers use as many as 29 raw materials that go through various stages of production. However, the generic adherend is made up of acrylic resins, petroleum by-products that are broken down into alcohols and acids before being fused into a polymer compound. This compound is then mixed with mineral spirits or a hydrocarbon solvent, creating an aqueous emulsion (a solution in which the microscopic resin particles are held suspended) that is applied to the backing. It is known as 'Sellotape' in Europe and is a well known brand. It is also known as Sticky Tape and Scotch Tape. There are different types of these Tapes like masking tape, packing labels, transparent tapes etc.

History

It was during the 1920s that the first adhesive tape was developed. In those times two-toned cars were popular. But there was a problem as manufacturers couldn't achieve a clean, crisp line between the two paint  finishes. As a solution to this problem, they used surgical tape but it did not form a proper seal and tended to lift off paint when it was removed. At that time, the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing company now popularly known as 3M, used to manufacture sandpaper. It was here that Richard Drew, a 3M lab worker who often used to visit the auto shops to test sandpaper, took a keen interest in finding a solution to this problem.

It was in 1930, that Drew invented a Tape that formed a seal without damaging the car's paint when it was removed. With the Invention, the firm entered the adhesive tape business. Drew eventually devised, a rubber-based adhesive coated on a paper backing, resembled today's masking tape.

Development in the Invention of Cellophane Tape

After World War II many advancement were made in synthetic resins and compounds. Adhesive technology was looking towards a future where Drew's invention, contemporary tape did not turn yellow or ooze adhesive as it aged. They could now be written on, resist water, unwind and rewind easily, and also became transparent.

Today, there are more than 400 varieties of pressure sensitive tapes. These come in different sizes, widths, contained in cases and composed of different shapes. Some of these include electrical tape, masking tape, packaging tape, band aids, transparent tape and labels.

In 1953, Russian scientists showed that triboluminescence caused by peeling a roll of Scotch Tape in a vacuum can produce X-rays.

In 2008, American scientists performed an experiment that showed the rays can be strong enough to leave an X-ray image of a finger on photographic paper.

Role of invention of Cellophane Tape in the Improvement of Human Life

• It made packaging, repairing, sealing easier and better for the people as compared to earlier techniques.

• These Tapes became widely used in the labelling industry and packaging products.

• Improvement in the adhesives technology made the usage of these Tapes in various industries especially the packaging industry which increased the business tremendously and provided employment at various levels.