Drywall tape

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The drywall tape of this invention is self-adhesive and is provided in rolls.
The tape assists in rapid taping of seams between adjacent drywall units.
The tape has a first layer of flexible paper material with an inwardly facing pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon which is adapted to adhere to the drywall material.
A second layer of reinforcing woven fiber material overlies the first layer.
A third layer of flexible material overlies the woven fiber material to encapsulate the fiber material between the first layer and the second layer.
The third layer has an outwardly facing release coating such that the first layer adhesive will releasably engage the third layer for manual separation of the tape when rolled upon itself.
A crease is formed along the center of the tape to facilitate positioning of the tape in a wall comer.
The self-release properties of the tape allow it to be easily dispensed and applied without the need to remove a backing.
The adhesive is formulated to maintain adhesion even when wetted by an overlying layer of drywall mud.
Furthermore, the release coating on the third layer accepts and allows the adherence of drywall mud.
Perforations may be provided in the tape to avoid underlying pockets of air and to permit moisture in the mud to pass through the tape to the drywall.
The tape of this invention may also be applied in a single step in fire wall applications, where cosmetic appearance is not a concern.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a reinforced tape for application to drywall.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a tape for application to drywall which is self-adhesive and which does not require application of mud to adhere to the drywall.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a paper tape for application to drywall which may be wound in rolls for releasable engagement with itself.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a tape for application in fire walls.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tape for application to drywall having a pressure-sensitive adhesive which retains its adhesion when the tape is covered with drywall mud, and having an outwardly facing surface which retains mud thereon