Packaging industries need effective carton sealing solutions and that's why so many have switched to water activated tape (WAT). Gummed paper tape creates a permanent bond to the corrugated carton for an effective, tamper-evident seal. So how have adhesives come to be that allows for this carton sealing advancement? In this post, you'll learn a little about the history of packaging tape and how the advancements made way for the sealing integrity of water activated tape.
Historical Timeline Of Adhesives and Tapes
In an article written by Jonathan Edelman, he displays a timeline of how tape and adhesives were made so that we have the carton sealing tape we do today. "It’s hard to imagine a world without tape. It mends our precious keepsakes, holds parts together as a quick repair, keeps our wounds together and sometimes saves lives."
2000 B.C.Earliest written records of adhesives describe simple instructions for the preparation of fish glue.
618 - 906 B.C.
In China, fish, ox, and stag horn provided material adhesives as well as binders for pigments. The best fish glue made from the swim bladder of the sturgeon is called isinglass
Around 1200
Medieval sources establish fish glue as the preferred glue for all sorts of bonding.
Around 1750
First patent for an adhesive issued in Britain for a fish-based glue. Not long after, many patents issued for glues using fish, animal bones, milk, rubber, and starch. The first commercial glue factory in Europe opens in Holland.
1845
Pressure-sensitive tape makes its first appearance. Horace Day, a surgeon, uses a rubber adhesive applied to strips of fabric to make a new invention: surgical tape.
1912
Thomas Edison invented water-activated tape in 1912. The advent of the cardboard box prompted Edison to create something better than twine to close the boxes. Inventing water-activated tape was a huge breakthrough. For the first time people could actually seal a carton, rather than just hold it closed. The tape needed an efficient way to dampen and be cut and it didn’t take long for the water-activated tape dispenser to be in invented.
1942
Duct tape is developed by Johnson and Johnson during World War II to meet the need for waterproof tape that could seal canisters and repair equipment. Basically cloth tape coated with polyethylene, duct tape also has superior gripping ability, making it easy to use in the field for emergency repairs.
Water-Activated Tape Today
Water activated tape is made primarily of white or natural color Kraft paper tape and starch-based adhesive. It’s usually available in various widths and thicknesses and may contain layers with fiberglass reinforcement. When the adhesive is activated with water, it penetrates the carton material and the tape forms a permanent bond with the carton.
Theft: WAT discourages theft because it is difficult to remove without leaving obvious signs of tampering. It literally bonds to the carton. Theft during the shipping process usually occurs because it is easy to do and difficult to get caught. With WAT, easy, undetected entry is not possible.
Cost-effectiveness: On a per-foot basis, WAT is often more expensive than plastic PST. However, since you only need one strip of tape to securely seal a carton, the per foot differential usually disappears as packers often use two to three strips of plastic PST. Companies derive additional cost savings from the lack of theft associated with WAT.
Climatic Conditions: WAT performs well under the extreme conditions of cold, heat, light, humidity and dirt, maintaining its bonding properties and the carton’s seal.
Branding: Branding is a critical element for businesses growth. By using gummed paper tape, a company is easily able to print its logo or a message right on the tape in either full color or black and white. This keeps your brand front and center when your carton arrives at your customer’s home or office.
Better Packages | Water Activated Tape
Better Packages offers a full line of Central® brand water-activated tape through its parent company, Intertape Polymer Group (IPG). Water-activated tape (also known as gummed tape, gum tape, Kraft tape, paper tape, reinforced tape etc) is designed to create a superior seal on your corrugated cartons while providing advantages other carton sealing methods do not.
Central brand water activated tape is offered in a wide range of paper and reinforced water activated tape styles, roll lengths and widths to best fit your carton sealing needs. It is the preferred choice of packaging specialists when quality, strength, security and professional appearance are critical.
Want to see for yourself if water activated tape is right for you ? Click the link below to request a free sample.