IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,304,185
Granted Patent B2
US 12,304,185 · App. 18/490,425 · Granted May 20, 2025

Repulpable, recyclable, compostable and biodegradable reinforcement elements and paper reinforced tapes, and containers including the same

Inventors: Michael J. Nowak (Vadnais Heights, MN); Cynthia A. Stewart-Irvin (Vancouver, WA); Patrick D. Gleason (Shoreview, MN)
Assignee: H.B. Fuller Company
B32B29/005B31B50/62B32B7/12B32B29/02B65D5/46016B65D5/54B65D75/52C09J7/21C09J7/29C09J7/35C09J7/38C09J7/403C09J167/04C09J189/00D21H25/005D21H27/10C09J5/06C09J2301/124C09J2400/263C09J2400/283C09J2431/00C09J2467/006C09J2489/006Y10T428/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,304,185
App. No.
18/490,425
Granted
May 20, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The paper reinforced tapes and reinforcement elements of this invention have improved repulpability, recyclability, compostability and biodegradability. Further, these reinforcement elements and paper reinforced tapes, despite being predominately paper, unexpectedly provide excellent container reinforcement properties and further can be used as opening tapes, closing tapes, tear tapes and carrying handles.

Claims (35)

1. A container comprising a reinforcement element, secured to a portion of the container, wherein the reinforcement element comprises:

a continuous paper strip having a first and second side,

a first layer of adhesive composition disposed on the first side, and

from 1 to 10 strands of a continuous fibrous substrate,

wherein the reinforcement element is secured to the container by the adhesive composition, the continuous paper strip having a basis weight of from 50 gsm to 300 gsm.

2. The container of claim 1 selected from the group consisting of:

a. a first container comprising,

i. a substrate having a first layer and a second layer; and

ii. the reinforcement element secured to at least the first layer or the second layer such that the reinforcement element is located between the first layer and the second layer; and

b. a second container comprising,

i. a substrate having at least one exterior surface; and

ii. the reinforcement element secured to at least one exterior surface of the substrate;

wherein the reinforcement element is disposed on at least one of the first and second sides.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement element comprises from 3 to 8 strands of the continuous fibrous substrate.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein the continuous fibrous substrate is selected from the group consisting of monofilament, multifilament, spun yarn, zero-twist yarn, and core spun yarn.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein the continuous fibrous substrate is naturally sourced.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein the continuous fibrous substrate is selected from the group consisting of rayon, polyvinyl alcohol, cotton, bamboo, lyocell, ramie, linen, hemp, wool, silk, jute, soybean protein fiber, cellulose acetate, and combinations or mixtures thereof.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein the continuous fibrous substrate is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide, and combinations thereof.

8. The container of claim 1 wherein the continuous fibrous substrate is a polyester monofilament.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of paper, paper board, and non-paper.

10. The container of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement element is free from plastic film derived from fossil fuel based materials and plastic string derived from fossil fuel based materials.

11. The container of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement element is completely naturally sourced.

12. The container of claim 1 wherein the continuous paper strip comprises paper having a basis weight of from 70 gsm to 200 gsm.

13. The container of claim 1 wherein the continuous paper strip has a width of from 1 mm to 50 mm.

14. The container of claim 1 wherein the adhesive composition is selected from the group consisting of hot melt adhesive composition and protein adhesive composition.

15. The container of claim 1 wherein the adhesive composition is selected from the group consisting of water soluble and water dispersible.

16. The container of claim 1 wherein the continuous paper strip comprises a second layer of material disposed on the second side.

17. The container of claim 16 wherein the second layer of material is selected from the group consisting of barrier material and release material.

18. The container of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement element further includes a design element selected from the group consisting of perforation, slitting, folding and combinations thereof.

19. A container comprising a reinforcement element, secured to a portion of the container, wherein the reinforcement element comprises:

a continuous paper strip having a first and second side, and edges along the outer lengths of the continuous paper strip,

a first layer of adhesive composition disposed on the first side, and

from 1 to 20 strands of a continuous fibrous substrate disposed only along the edges of the continuous paper strip,

wherein the reinforcement element is secured to the container by the adhesive composition and the continuous paper strip has a basis weight of from 50 gsm to 300 gsm.

20. The container of claim 1 wherein the continuous paper strip has a basis weight of 100 gsm to 300 gsm and the adhesive composition is a hot melt adhesive composition.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2024
From: NOWAK, MICHAEL J.; STEWART-IRVIN, CYNTHIA A.; GLEASON, PATRICK D.
To: H.B. FULLER COMPANY
Reel/Frame 068705/0915 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 17143588 · Jan 7, 2021
Provisional Application 63044599 · Jun 26, 2020
Provisional Application 62979236 · Feb 20, 2020
Provisional Application 62958108 · Jan 7, 2020
Related Publication 20240042747A1 · Feb 8, 2024
References Cited (9)
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US 20030235687A1 · Peacock · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20050186417A1 · Rodriguez · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20070068641A1 · Dever et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20120298734A1 · Bradshaw · 2012 [cited by examiner]
DE 102015001555A1 · 2016 [cited by examiner]
Machine Translation of DE-102015001555-A1 (Year: 2016). [cited by examiner]