WO2006039940A1

WO2006039940A1 - Adhesive tape and method for changing a reel

Info

Publication number: WO2006039940A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/011486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yutaka Kuwabara; Walter Eevers; Greet Bossaert; Bart Forier
Original assignee: Nitto Europe NV
Current assignee: Nitto Belgium NV
Priority date: 2004-10-13
Filing date: 2004-10-13
Publication date: 2006-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2007-04-13

Abstract

The invention relates to an adhesive tape for flying reel changes having a backing layer (1) and at least one adhesive layer (3) provided on the backing layer (1). To allow a flexible use of the adhesive tape, said at least one adhesive layer (3) comprises different adhesives.

Description

ADHESIVE TAPE AND METHOD FOR CHANGING A REEL

The invention relates to an adhesive tape for flying reel changes having a backing layer and at least one adhesive layer provided on the backing layer. The invention further relates to an adhesive tape for flying reel changes having a backing layer and at least two adhesive layers provided on the backing layer. The invention further relates to a method for changing a reel.

Adhesive tapes of this kind are for example disclosed in EP 13 77 511.

The conventional practice of closing a new reel, preparing same to be spliced to an old reel and actually conducting the splice is a very intensive and precise action which requires a certain skill, trained people and a considerable amount of time. Moreover, said conventional approach is disadvantageous insofar as different types of tapes have to be used. The different tapes have to be repacked individually to maintain their properties. The tapes have to be distinctive and each type has to have its own set of properties. These can be different for the reel closing tape and for the splicing tape.

Furthermore, difficult cut'out and splice patterns such as "straight cuts, v'shape cuts or asymmetric v'shape cuts" have to be prepared. These splice patterns have to be selected according to the paper grade, the condition of the roll paper weight and the press speed used. These patterns mostly have to be strengthened with labels or tabs to increase the splrce'air tightness. These tabs are die cut to break instantly after the splice has been made to release the new roll for unwinding. They are also used to hold down the outer spire during rotation to prevent air pockets being formed, which can burst the splice pattern during acceleration. The number and type of tabs have to be determined by splice speed, paper grade and pattern shape. The tabs should also not be applied too tightly because then they could break in advance. All these tapes and labels have to be positioned very accurately and have to be cut in such a way that an overlap is absolutely avoided. Overlaps can cause air tunnels, which can lead to re'opening of the paper reel or may lead to splice failures caused by uneven splice patterns and too thick total splices. The adhesive tape disclosed in EP 13 77 511 which offers a solution to said problems combines the functions of a reel closing tape and a reel splicing tape in one tape in such a way that the tape does not open during acceleration, no air tunnels are formed and the splices can be prepared in an easy manner without difficult splice patterns.

Due to the successful performance of said adhesive tape there is a demand to employ said adhesive tape in various industries for example in industries which are specialized on commercial printing or on paper coating. The application of the adhesive tape in different industries leads to varying requirements which must be met by the adhesive tape.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adhesive tape which can be flexibly adapted to various industrial splicing applications having special and differing requirements. Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for changing a reel using the aforementioned tape.

With respect to the adhesive tape, said object is achieved according to the present invention by an adhesive tape for flying reel changes having a backing layer and at least one adhesive layer provided on the backing layer wherein said at least one adhesive layer comprises different adhesives. Alternatively, said object is achieved according to the invention by an adhesive tape for flying reel changes having a backing layer and at least two adhesive layers provided on the backing layer wherein said two adhesive layers comprise different adhesives. With respect to the method, said object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter according to claim 25, alternatively by the subject matter of claim 27 or by the subject matter of claim 28.

The advantage of the invention consists in that the different adhesives of the adhesive tape according to the invention allowed to tailor the properties of the adhesive tape exactly to the specific requirements which occur in different applications of the adhesive tape.

For example, the splices made in industries like commercial printing or paper coating have to resist to very high oven temperatures. These temperatures can rise up to several hundreds degrees and can result in web temperatures of over 200°. In many cases, areas of the adhesive layers which are comparatively small in the overall adhesive tape layout such as the reel closing area can slip off at these high temperatures. The inventive adhesive tape allows to apply in this area of the tape an adhesive which is suitable to withstand such high temperatures and which remains on the backing layer even under severe thermal conditions. This advantage is to be understood as an example for the flexible and various possibilities to apply the adhesive tape according to the invention in different industrial fields. The invention is not restricted to this example which only illustrates one possible advantage obtainable by the invention.

The different adhesives of the inventive tape increase in general the possible applications of the adhesive tape, since the properties of the adhesive tape can be exactly adapted to the specific demands which occur in the different applications.

For example, it is likewise possible to use differently colored adhesives which are also regarded as different adhesives in the sense of the invention. The different colors can be indicative for the different functions of the tape such that the positioning and orientation and, hence, the handling of the adhesive tape is facilitated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the at least one adhesive layer comprises a zone having a reel splicing adhesive and a zone having a reel closing adhesive, the reel splicing adhesive and the reel closing adhesive being different adhesives. This embodiment allows to improve the combined splicing and closing function of the adhesive tape by selecting suitable adhesives for the splicing zone and the closing zone. Thereby, the total performance of the adhesive tape can be optimized.

Preferably, the thickness of the zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the thickness of the zone having the reel closing adhesive are in a range of 40 to 100 μm. Moreover, the thickness of the zone having the reel splicing adhesive can be equal to a thickness of zone having the reel closing adhesive. The aforementioned features allow to reduce the total thickness of the adhesive tape while maintaining adequate adhering properties.

In a further preferred embodiment, a first adhesive layer is provided on one side of the backing layer and the at least one adhesive layer is formed as a second adhesive layer provided on the other side of the backing layer. This double sided adhesive tape can be used for a great variety of applications and can be easily positioned on the reel to be spliced while the adhesive layer on the opposite side of the backing layer is adapted to carry out the splice. Preferably, the first adhesive layer comprises an adhesive which is different from the adhesives of the second adhesive layer or which corresponds to one of the adhesives of the second adhesive layer. Thus, it is possible to use an adhesive which is adapted to fulfill the specific demands which occur in the positioning of the adhesive tape on the reel to be spliced.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one cleavage means is provided substantially transverse to at least said backing layer, thereby dividing said backing layer into at least a first portion and a second portion wherein the first adhesive layer is not effective in the area of the second portion of the backing layer and the second adhesive layer is not effective in the area of the first portion of the backing layer. This embodiment of the invention allows to combine all relevant functions of the adhesive tape for flying reeling changes, specifically the reel closing and the reel splicing function in one tape. It is thus not necessary to use separate tapes for the different functions since the tape according to this embodiment combines said functions thereby avoiding to ensure distinctability and the repacking of different tapes. The tape according to this embodiment furthermore requires less difficult preparations to be made prior to the splicing which means that a straight to almost straight splice can be applied instead of the difficult cut'out and splice patterns normally used. Moreover, said embodiment of the tape allows to significantly reduce the thickness of the total splice zone thus avoiding air tunnels causing reopening and avoiding splice failures caused by uneven splice patterns.

Preferably, the first adhesive layer is provided only on the first portion of the backing layer which guarantees in an easy manner that the first adhesive layer is effective only in the area of the first portion of the backing layer but not in the area of the second portion of the backing layer.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the second adhesive layer is provided only on the second portion of the backing layer. Thereby, it is likewise possible in an easy manner to prevent that the second adhesive layer is effective in the area of the first portion of the backing layer.

The second adhesive layer can be provided on the first portion and on the second portion of the backing layer wherein the second adhesive layer is covered at least in the area of the first portion of the backing layer and the at least one cleavage means is provided in the second adhesive layer thereby dividing said second adhesive layer in a first and a second portion. By covering the second adhesive layer at least in the area of the first portion of the backing layer, an alternative way to prevent the second adhesive layer from being effective in the area of the first portion of the backing layer is provided.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the backing layer comprises a third portion adjacent to the second portion of the backing layer and a further cleavage means provided between the third portion and the second portion of the backing layer wherein a third adhesive layer is provided on said third portion of the backing layer. This embodiment allows to provide a double sided adhesive tape with double cleavage means. The third adhesive layer provided on the third portion of the backing layer allows for an even more precise positioning of the adhesive tape on the reel to be spliced.

The zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the zone having the reel closing adhesive can be provided in the aforementioned embodiments on the second portion of the backing layer. Said arrangement is specifically adapted for a double sided adhesive tape which can be positioned on the reel to be spliced such that the zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the zone having the reel closing adhesive are easily accessible for the closing and splicing process.

A release liner can be provided on the second adhesive layer which facilitates the handling of the tape since the release liner can be removed shortly before the closing and splicing action takes place.

In a preferred embodiment, the release liner comprises at least one slit wherein the position of the slit corresponds to the position of an interface between the zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the zone having the reel closing adhesive. Thereby, it is possible to remove the release liner from the zone having the reel closing adhesive such that the zone having the reel splicing adhesive is covered by the release liner while the closing takes place. Thus, a safe closing of the bobbin is possible without difficulties.

The release liner can comprise a further slit wherein the position of the further slit corresponds to the position of the cleavage means. Said embodiment is specifically adapted to be used with the embodiment of the invention in which the backing layer as well as the second adhesive layer can be separated by the means of the cleavage means. This embodiment has the specific advantage that the first portion of the second adhesive layer in the area of the first portion of the backing layer is still covered by the release liner while the release liner in the adjacent zone having the splicing adhesive is removed. Thereby, it can be prevented that the second adhesive layer becomes effective in the area of the first portion of the backing layer which ensures a safe splicing process.

In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one cleavage means is provided substantially transverse to the backing layer and the second adhesive layer, thereby dividing each of said backing layer and said second adhesive layer into a first portion and a second portion wherein the first adhesive layer is spaced apart from the at least one cleavage means. This embodiment of the adhesive tape is adapted to a splicing process wherein the adhesive tape is first positioned on the reel to be spliced with the second adhesive layer facing the surface of the reel to be spliced wherein the adhesive tape can be then folded back such that the first adhesive layer on the opposite side of the backing' layer is brought into contact with the surface of the reel to be spliced thereby bringing the adhesive tape into its final position.

Preferably, the zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the zone having the reel closing adhesive of the second adhesive layer are provided on one side of the second portion of the backing layer and the first adhesive layer is provided on the opposite side of the second portion of the backing layer. This layout of the adhesive tape allows to make the zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the zone having the reel closing adhesive accessible for the splice.

The first adhesive layer can be splittable in a longitudinal direction of the tape. Thereby it is possible to separate the second portion of the backing layer from the old reel.

The second adhesive layer is preferably covered by a release liner which is provided with at least one slit wherein the position of the slit corresponds to the position of the cleavage means. The release liner on the second adhesive layer allows to position said second adhesive layer on the new reel wherein the second adhesive layer only partially adheres to said new reel at a portion from which the release liner has been removed. Thus, it is possible that a free end of the tape is folded back without difficulties.

In a further preferred embodiment, the release liner is provided with a further slit and the position of the further slit corresponds to the position of an interface between the zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the zone having the reel closing adhesive of the second adhesive layer. The further slit in the release liner allows to first expose the reel closing zone, once the adhesive tape has been folded back such that the zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the zone having the reel closing adhesive are on top of the new reel. By first exposing only the reel closing zone and maintaining the release liner of the reel splicing zone, the closing of the reel can easily and safely be carried out.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention two cleavage means are provided substantially transverse to the backing layer and the adhesive layer. This layout of the adhesive tape allows to design a single sided adhesive tape which is adapted to be adhered with one end to the surface of the new reel and can be folded back to be adhered with the other end of the tape to the surface of the old reel.

The zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the zone having the reel closing adhesive can be provided between said two cleavage means. Thereby, once the adhesive tape is folded back and positioned on the reel at two areas, the zone having the reel splicing adhesive, and the zone having the reel closing adhesive are accessible for the closing and splicing action, wherein the part of the adhesive tape comprising the zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the zone having the reel closing adhesive can be separated from the reel by the two cleavage means.

In a preferred embodiment a release liner is provided on the zone having the reel splicing adhesive and on the zone having the reel closing adhesive wherein the release liner has a slit and the position of the slit corresponds to the position of an interface between the zone having the reel splicing adhesive and the zone having the reel closing adhesive. The release liner allows to attach a part of the adhesive tape to the new reel while the reel splicing zone and the reel closing zone do not adhere to the old reel since said zones are covered by the release liner which facilitates the positioning of the adhesive tape. Moreover, due to the slit in the release liner it is possible to first remove the release liner from the zone having the reel closing adhesive such that the old reel can be easily closed before the splicing zone is exposed.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross section of an adhesive tape according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross section of an adhesive tape according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross section of an adhesive tape according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a cross section of an adhesive tape according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a cross section of an adhesive tape according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figures 6a-d illustrate an embodiment of a method for changing a reel using the adhesive tape according to the first embodiment of the invention;

Figures 7a-e illustrate an embodiment of a method for changing a reel using the adhesive tape according to the fourth embodiment of the invention; and

Figures 8a-d illustrate an embodiment of a method for changing a reel using the adhesive tape according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

It is to be understood that the drawings schematically depict the cross section of the respective adhesive tapes and are not indicative of the real thickness of the respective layers of the adhesive tapes.

All embodiments shown in Figures 1'5 have in common that the adhesive tape incorporates different adhesives. This concept allows to use said adhesive tapes more flexibly for various applications in different industrial fields specifically related to the paper or foil manufacturing or processing. The arrangement of the different adhesives on the adhesive tape can vary depending on the layout of the specific adhesive tape which is exemplified by the embodiments shown in the figures and described hereafter.

Figure 1 illustrates the layout of an adhesive tape according to a first embodiment of the invention which can be used, for example, for the splicing of coated or laminated paper rolls. The application of the adhesive tape in a splicing process using other materials, such as foils is likewise possible. The adhesive tape according to the first embodiment comprises a backing layer 1 which is coated or laminated on both sides with a first adhesive layer 2 and a second adhesive layer 3. The first adhesive layer is provided on the lower side of the backing layer 1 and the second adhesive layer 3 is provided on the upper side of the backing layer 1 as shown in Figure 1 , wherein the terms lower side/upper side apply to the horizontal position of the adhesive tape as indicated in Figure 1.

The second adhesive layer 3 is composed of a first portion 3a and a second portion 3b which are separable by a cleavage means 4 which divides the second adhesive layer 3 in said first portion 3a and said second portion 3b. One of said two portions 3a, 3b, namely, the second portion 3b is made of two different adhesives, namely, a reel splicing adhesive 3c' and a reel closing adhesive 3d' which are provided in a reel splicing zone 3c and a real closing zone 3d respectively. The reel splicing zone 3c is arranged adjacent to the reel closing zone 3d wherein both zones 3c, 3d form a contact area or an interface 3e as can be taken from Figure 1.

The second adhesive layer 3 is formed as a continuous layer having zones or portions made of different adhesives which directly contact each other. The invention likewise encompasses a second adhesive layer 3 in which the zones or portions made of different adhesives are not in direct contact but are separated by gaps. Hence, the second adhesive layer 3 does not necessarily have to be formed as a continuous layer.

The reel closing adhesive 3d' can be selected to withstand high temperatures, for example, of over 200°C to avoid that the reel closing zone 3d of the second adhesive layer 3 which is comparatively smaller than the reel splicing zone 3c, slips off the backing layer 1 at such high temperatures if the splice is heated in an oven in the course of the processing of the paper.

It is also possible to use differently colored adhesives as a reel splicing adhesive 3c¹ and reel closing adhesive 3d' to render the reel closing zone 3d and the reel splicing zone 3c optically distinctable which facilitates the handling of the adhesive tape.

Moreover, it is possible to use a third, different adhesive for the first portion 3a of the second adhesive layer 3. The third portion 3a can also be made of the same adhesive as used for the reel splicing zone 3c which is disposed adjacent to said first portion 3a of the second adhesive layer 3 and is separable therefrom by means of the cleavage means 4.

The first adhesive layer 2 provided on the opposite side of the backing layer 1 can be made of one of the adhesives 3c' 3d¹ used for the second adhesive layer 3 or can be made from a further adhesive 2' which is different from the two adhesives 3c' 3d' of the second adhesive layer 3. The adhesive 2' of the first adhesive layer 2 can be selected in accordance with the requirements which occur in conjunction with the positioning of the adhesive tape on the new reel.

Hence, it is possible to precisely tailor the properties of the adhesive tape to the different functions which are combined in said tape. Specifically, it is possible to use an adhesive 2' for the first adhesive layer 2 which improves the positioning of the tape, while different adhesives 3c' 3d' are used in the second adhesive layer which aim to improve the combined closing and splicing function of the adhesive tape of the first embodiment.

The layout of the adhesive tape according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 further comprises a cleavage means which is provided substantially transverse to the backing layer 1. The cleavage means 4 extends in the longitudinal direction of the adhesive tape and, hence, normal to the cross section shown in Figure 1. The cleavage means 4 is realized as a perforation. The invention is not limited to one cleavage means 4 or one perforation, but can comprise more than one cleavage means 4, such as two perforations which is, for example, shown in Figure 3 in conjunction with the third embodiment which will be outlined in detail in conjunction with the description of the third embodiment.

As seen in Figure 1 , the cleavage means 4 extends transverse to the backing layer 1 and the second adhesive layer 3 thereby dividing not only the second adhesive layer 3 into first and second portions 3a, 3b but also the backing layer 1 such that the first portions 1a, 3a of the backing layer 1 and the second adhesive layer 3 can be separated from the second portions 1b, 3b of the backing layer 1 and the second adhesive layer 3 at the breakage plane defined by the cleavage means 4.

The cleavage means 4, specifically the perforation, can be made with a flexible die or a rotary die. By changing the perforation widths and distances, the breaking strength of the adhesive tape can be fitted to the paper type and weight involved to insure a clean splice which in turn insures a fluent breaking of the tape after effecting the splice, but not during acceleration of the new paper reel. Other ways to realize the cleavage means 4, for example, by partially providing splits in the second adhesive layer 3 and in the backing layer 1 are likewise possible.

As further shown in Figure 1 , the second adhesive layer 3 is covered by a release liner 6. The release liner 6 comprises a slit 7, wherein the position of the slit 7 corresponds to the position of the interface 3e between the zone 3c having the reel splicing adhesive 3c' and the zone 3d having the reel closing adhesive 3d'. The release liner 6 comprises a further slit 8 the position of which corresponds to the position of the cleavage means 4. Thereby, the release liner is divided into a first portion 6a, a second portion 6b and a third portion 6c, wherein the first portion 6a and the second portion 6b are separable by means of the further slit 8 and the second portions 6b and third portion 6c are separable by the slit 7.

The first portion 6a of the release liner 6 covers the first portion 3a of the second adhesive layer 3 and, hence, is provided in the area of the first portion 1a of the backing layer 1. The second portion 6b of the release liner 6 covers the reel splicing zone 3c and the third portion 6c of the release liner 6 covers the reel closing zone 3d of the second adhesive layer 3. By covering the first portion 3a of the second adhesive layer 3 by the first portion 6a of the release liner 6, it is avoided that the second adhesive layer 3 is effective in the sense of its adhering properties, in the area of the first portion 1a of the backing layer 1.

The slit 7 and the further slit 8 in the release liner 6 allow selectively exposing the reel closing zone 3d and the reel splicing zone 3c by accordingly removing the third portion 6c of the release liner 6 from the reel closing zone 3d while the second portion 6b of the release liner 6 still remains on the reel splicing zone 3c. The further slit 8 allows selectively removing the second portion 6b of the release liner 6, thereby exposing the reel splicing zone 3c while the first portion 6a of the release liner 6 remains on the first portion 3a of the second adhesive layer to avoid a connection with the second adhesive layer 3 and the reel to be spliced in the area of the first portion 1 a of the backing layer 1.

As further seen in Figure 1 , the second adhesive layer 2 comprising the second adhesive 2' is applied only in the area of the first portion 1a of the backing layer 1. Specifically, the first adhesive layer 2 does not extend into the area of the second portion 1 b of the backing layer 1 , but is aligned with the cleavage means 4 as shown in Figure 1. Hence, the first adhesive layer 2 is only effective in the area of the first portion 1a of the backing layer 1 , but not in the area of the second portion 1b of the backing layer 1.

This means that the cleavage means 4 in the backing layer 1 and the second adhesive layer 3 are aligned with the further sfit 8 in the release liner 6 as well as with the second adhesive layer 2 on the opposite side of the backing layer 1 , specifically with the inner edge of the first adhesive layer 2. This layout of the adhesive tape allows separating the first portions 1a, 3a, 6a of the backing layer 1 , the second adhesive layer 3 and the release liner 6 together with the first adhesive layer 2 from the remaining adhesive tape.

As will be outlined in further detail in conjunction with the splicing process, the second portion 1 of the backing layer and the second portion 3c of the second adhesive layer 3 comprising the reel splicing zone 3c and the reel closing zone 3d can be separated from the aforementioned first portions 1a, 3a, 6a and the first adhesive layer 2 such that the second portions 1b, 3b constitute the splice while the first portions 1a, 3a, 6a together with the first adhesive layer 2 remain on the new reel.

The width W of the tape indicated in Figure 1 can be in the range of 25mm to 100mm. The width Wi of the first portions 1a, 3a, 6a of the backing layer 1 , the second adhesive layer 3 and the release liner 6 as well as the width Wi of the first adhesive layer 2 on the opposite side of the backing layer can be in the range of 6mm to 25mm. The width W₂ of the third portion 6a of the release liner 6 which covers the reel closing zone 3d as well as the width W₂ of said reel closing zone 3d can be in the range of 6mm to 40mm.

The tear strength of the adhesive tape can be in the range of 5-70 kg/m. The total product can be repulpable or non-repulpable. The backing layer 1 can be made of a perforated paper backing or film. The paper backing weight can be in the range of 40- 100 grams/m². The film can be a PVC with a thickness of 12-75μm or a PET with a thickness of 12-75 μm or an oriented PP with a thickness of 25-75μm or a non-woven type with a grammage of 10-25 grams/m² or an aluminum based film with a thickness of 12-75μm. The release liner 6 can have a release value not being not lower than 10cN/50mm and not more than 100cN/50mm.

The adhesive tape according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2 gives a further example for an adhesive tape in which the first adhesive layer 2 is only effective in the area of the first portion 1a of the backing layer 1 while the second adhesive 3 on the opposite side of the backing layer 1 is effective only in the area of the second portion 1b of the backing layer 1. Thus, the first and second adhesive layers 2, 3 are only effective on one side of the cleavage means 4 respectively, namely in the area of the first portion 1a of the backing layer 1 (first adhesive layer 2) and in the area of the second portion 1b of the backing layer 1 (second adhesive layer 3). The adhesive tape according to the second embodiment corresponds insofar to the adhesive tape according to the first embodiment.

To prevent that the second adhesive layer 3 is effective in the area of the first portion 1a of the backing layer 1 , the first portion 3a of the second adhesive layer 3 according to Fig. 1 has been omitted in the adhesive tape according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2. Thus, the second adhesive layer 3 of the second embodiment comprises only a reel splicing zone 3c and a reel closing zone 3d wherein the area on the first portion 1 a of the backing layer 1 is left free as shown in Fig. 2.

As the first portion 3a of the second adhesive layer 3 is omitted in the second embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a further slit in the release liner 6 to allow that the first portion 3a and the reel splicing zone 3c can be selectively exposed. Consequently, the release liner 6 according to the second embodiment is provided with only one slit 7 which is aligned with the interface 3e between reel splicing zone and the reel closing 3d.

The remaining features of the adhesive tape according to the second embodiment, specifically as regards the different adhesives used for the reel splicing zone 3c and the reel closing 3d as well as with regard to the layout of the adhesive tape correspond to the features of the adhesive tape according to the first embodiment. Also the dimensions and material properties described in conjunction with the first embodiment are valid for the second embodiment.

The adhesive tape according to the third embodiment shown in Fig. 3 illustrates that the invention is not restricted to an adhesive tape having only one cleavage means (one perforation). As can be taken from Fig 3, it is possible to provide the adhesive tape with, for example two cleavage means 4, 4' which are realized in this embodiment as perforations. The cleavage means 4, 4' are provided in the backing layer 1 so as to divide same in a first portion 1a, a second portion 1 b and a third portion 1a'. The first portion 1a and the third portion 1a¹ of the backing layer 1 are coated or laminated with a first and a third adhesive layer 2, 2' wherein the second portion 1b of the backing layer 1 on this side of the backing layer 1 between the first and third adhesive layers 2, 2' is left free. As can be further seen in Fig. 3, the inner edges of the first and third adhesive layers 2, 2' are aligned with the cleavage means 4, 4¹ respectively, such that the first and third adhesive layers 2, 2' do not extend into the area of the second portion 1b of the backing layer 1.

The opposite side of the backing layer 1 is covered with the second adhesive layer 3 which is coated or laminated thereon. As shown in Fig. 3 the second adhesive layer 3 is applied only to the second portion 1b of the backing layer 1 while the first and third portions 1a, 1a' of the backing layer 1 adjacent to the second portion 1 b of the backing layer 1 are left free. Thereby, it is prevented that the first and third adhesive layers 2, 2' are effective in the area of the second portion 1b of the backing layer 1 , while the second adhesive layer 3 on the opposite side of the backing layer 1 is only effective in said second portion 1b of the backing layer 1. This layout allows to position the adhesive tape according to the third embodiment on the new reel via the first and third adhesive layers 2, 2' which can be separated from the second portion 1b of the backing layer 1 by means of the cleavage means 4, 4' such that the splice can be effected by means of said second portion 1b of the backing layer 1 and the second adhesive layer 3.

The second adhesive layer 3 comprises a reel splicing zone 3c having a reel splicing adhesive 3c¹ and a reel closing zone 3d having a reel closing adhesive 3d' the reel splicing adhesive 3c' and the reel closing adhesive 3d' being different adhesives. The adhesives of the first and third adhesive layer 2, 2' can likewise be different adhesives.

The second adhesive layer 3 is covered by a release liner 6 which comprises a first portion 6b and a second portion 6c which can be separated by means of a slit 7 which is aligned with the interface 3e between the reel splicing zone 3c and the reel closing zone 3d of the second adhesive layer 3 such that the position of the slit 7 corresponds to the position of the interface 3e. The release liner 6 has the same width W as the backing layer 1 such that the first portion 6b of the release liner 6 not only covers the reel splicing zone 3c but also the third portion 1a' of the backing layer 1. Likewise the second portion 6c of the release liner 6 covers not only the reel closing zone 3d but also the first portion 1a of the backing layer 1. It would be possible to use a shorter release liner 6 which only covers the second adhesive layer 3. Moreover, it would also be possible to use a second adhesive layer 3 which not only covers the second portion 1 b of the backing layer but also the first and third portions 1a, 1a' of the backing layer 1. In this case, the cleavage means 4, 4' had to be provided also in the second adhesive layer 3 such that the reel splicing zone 3c and the reel closing zone 3d could be separated from the rest of the tape. To this end it would be preferable to provide second and third slits (in addition to slit 7) in the release liner 6 which are aligned with the cleavage means 4, 4' to facilitate the handling of the adhesive tape.

The dimensions described in conjunction with the first embodiment as well as the material properties of the tape apply also to the third embodiment.

The third embodiment has the advantage that the adhesive tape can be precisely positioned on the new reel due to the first and second adhesive layers 2, 2' which are spaced apart from each other.

The adhesive tape according to the fourth embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 4 is a double sided adhesive tape which is adapted to be positioned on the reel and further adapted to be folded or bent backwards to expose the reel splicing zone 30c and the reel closing zone 3Od.

The adhesive tape comprises, as can be seen in Fig. 4, a cleavage means 40 which is provided substantially transverse to the backing layer 1 and the second adhesive layer 30 coated or laminated on said backing layer 1. The cleavage means 40 extends in the longitudinal direction of the tape and divides each of the backing layer and the second adhesive layer 30 into a first portion 1a, 30a and a second portion 1 b, 30b, respectively.

On the opposite side of the backing layer 1 , a first adhesive layer 2 is provided which is splittable in a longitudinal direction of the tape.

The cleavage means 40 is spaced apart from the first adhesive layer 2. This layout is adapted to position the adhesive tape on the new reel by means of the first portion 30a of the second adhesive layer 30. To bring the adhesive tape according to the fourth embodiment into the splicing position, the tape is folded back such that the first adhesive 2 comes into contact with the surface of the new reel and the second portion 30b of the second adhesive tape which has initially faced the surface of the new reel is now accessible for the spires of the reels to be spliced. This process will be described in detail in conjunction with the method for reel changing.

The second portion 30b of the second adhesive layer 30 is composed of a reel splicing zone 30c having a reel splicing adhesive 30c' and a reel closing zone 3Od having a reel closing adhesive 3Od' wherein the reel splicing zone 30c is adjacent to the first portion 30a of the second adhesive layer 30 and the reel closing zone 3Od is arranged so as to form an outer edge of the tape. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the second portion 30b of the second adhesive layer 30 and the first adhesive layer 2 are both provided on the same portion of the backing layer 1 , namely on the second portion 1b.

The second adhesive layer 30 is covered by means of a release liner 60 which is provided with a slit 70 aligned with the cleavage means 40. A further slit 80 is provided in the release liner 60 which is aligned with the interface 3Oe between the reel closing zone 3Od and the reel splicing zone 30c. Thus, it is possible to selectively expose the first portion 30a as well as the reel splicing zone 30c and the reel closing zone 3Od of the second adhesive layer 30.

The reel splicing adhesive 30c and the reel closing adhesive 3Od are made of different adhesives. The adhesives can be but are not restricted to acrylic adhesives or, natural rubber adhesives.

In the adhesive tape according to the fourth embodiment the cleavage means 40 is realized as a perforation which is located at a distance of 5-20 mm from the tape edge.

The second adhesive layer 30 can be made of a repulpable pressure sensitive adhesive wherein the release liner 60 is likewise repulpable. The release liner 60 has a total width of 40-100 mm. The tear strength of the pressure sensitive adhesive repulpable tape according to the fourth embodiment is from 10-30 kg/m which is realized by the cleavage means 40 (perforation) wherein the perforation is selected on a base of knowledge that forces lower than 5 kg/m can cause reel opening of the accelerated bobbins and forces higher than 70 kg/m will be unsuccessful for cleaving the tape after the splice has been made.

The first portion 30a of the second adhesive layer 30 has a width of 6-40 mm so that the width is large enough for the adhesive tape to adhere to the new paper reel and, moreover, has an adhesive thickness of 15-80 μm dependent on the to be closed paper reel qualities. The slits 70, 80 in the release liner 60 are positioned at a distance of 6-40 mm on both edges of the release liner 60. The release values of the release liner 60 are selected such that the release value should not be higher than 100cN/50mm to guarantee that it is possible to remove the release liner 60 from the second adhesive layer 30. The reel closing zone 3Od has a width of 6-40 mm so that the width is large enough for the bobbin to stay close during acceleration wherein the thickness of the second adhesive layer 30 in the area of the reel closing zone 3Od is from 50-100 μm dependent on the to be closed paper reel qualities. The width of the splicing zone 30c is from 2-80 mm wherein the reel splicing zone has a thickness of 10-80 μm likewise dependent on the to be spliced paper reel qualities.

The adhesive tape according to the fifth embodiment indicated in Figure 5 is a single sided adhesive tape which is adapted to be positioned on the reel and further adapted to be folded or bent backwards and to expose the reel splicing zone 300c and the reel closing zone 30Od.

The adhesive tape according to the fourth embodiment comprises a backing layer 1 which is provided with two cleavage means 400 which divide the backing layer 1 into a first portion 1a, a second portion 1b and third portion 1a'. As shown in Figure 5, the second portion 1b is arranges between the first and third portions of the backing layer 1 and, thus, between the two cleavage means 400. Moreover, only one side of the backing layer 1 is coated or laminated with an adhesive layer 300 as illustrated in Figure 5. The cleavage means 400 are not only provided on the backing layer 1, but also in the adhesive layer 300 such that the cleavage means 400 represents two perforations extending through the backing layer 1 and the adhesive layer 300. Thereby, the adhesive layer 300 is divided in a first portion 300a and a second portion 300b and a third portion 300a', wherein the first, second and third portion 300a, 300b, 300a' of the adhesive layer 300 corresponds to the first, second and third portions 1a, 1b, 1a' of the backing layer 1.

The second portion 300b of the adhesive layer 300 comprises the reel closing zone 30Od having a reel closing adhesive 30Od' and a reel splicing zone 300c having a reel splicing adhesive 300c' which is different from the reel closing adhesive 30Od'. The second portion 300b of the adhesive layer 300 is covered with a release liner 600 provided with a slit 700 which is aligned with the interface 30Oe between the reel splicing zone 300c and the reel closing zone 30Od such that the position of the slit 700 corresponds to the position of the interface 30Oe. The slit 700 divides the release liner into a first portion 600a and second portion 60Ob₁ wherein the first portion 600a covers the reel closing zone 30Od and the second portion 600b of the release liner 600 covers the reel splicing zone 300c of the adhesive layer 300.

Both the fourth and fifth embodiment allow adapting the cleavage of perforation to the breaking strengths necessary to allow a fluent break of the tape at the splicing process. Specifically, the perforation can be adapted such that the splice does not open during acceleration of the new paper reel and that is readily opens when necessary, i.e. after the splice is made. These forces can be dependent on type and weight of the to be spliced rolls. Moreover, the adhesive tapes according to the fourth and fifth embodiment avoid that no piece of the release liner is left on the construction after the splice has taken place so that any problems with printing on silicones is avoided. Moreover, the thickness of the total concept is reduced which avoids damaging of printing blankets. The layout of the adhesive tapes according to the fourth and fifth embodiment lead to an improved accessibility of the splicing zone.

In the adhesive tape according to the fifth embodiment the cleavage means 400 are both realized as perforations which are each located at a distance of 5-20 mm from the tape edge.

The adhesive layer consists of a repulpable pressure sensitive adhesive. The release liner 600 likewise consists of a repulable material. The total width of the tape is 20-50 mm. The adhesive tape according to the fifth embodiment has a tear strength of 50-70 kg/m which is realized by the two cleavage means 400, namely the two perforations in between which the adhesive layer 300 is provided. The perforations are selected on a base of knowledge that forces lower than 5 kg/m can cause early opening of the accelerated bobbins and forces higher than 70 kg/m will be unsuccessful for cleaving the tape are the splice has been made. The first portion 300a and the third portion 300a' of the adhesive layer 300 have a width of 6-40 mm so that the width is large enough for the tape to adhere to the new paper reel wherein the thickness of the layer in the first and third portion 300a, 300a' of the adhesive layer is from 15-80 μm dependent on the to be closed paper reel qualities. The slit 700 in the release liner 600 is positioned at a distance of 6-40 mm and the edge of the release liner 600. The release values of the release liner 600 are selected such that the release value should not be higher than 100cN/50mm to allow that the release liner 600 can be removed from the adhesive layer 300. The width of the reel closing zone 30Od (total closing of the paper bobbin) is from 6- 40 mm such that the width is large enough for the bobbin to stay closed during acceleration. The adhesive thickness in the reel closing zone 30Od is from 50-100 μm dependent on the to be closed paper reel qualities. The reel splicing zone 300c has a width of 20-80 mm and a thickness of 20-60 μm dependent on the to be spliced paper reel qualities.

The adhesives used in the described embodiments can be but are not restricted to acrylic adhesives or natural rubber adhesives.

In the following embodiments of methods for changing reels using the adhesive tapes according to embodiments 1 to 5 are described.

The method for changing a reel, specifically for carrying out a splice using the adhesive tape according to the first embodiment is illustrated in 6a-d.

In Figure 6a it is shown that the adhesive tape is adhered with the first adhesive layer 2 to the new wheel which is to be spliced. The first adhesive layer 2 is automatically exposed while unwinding the adhesive tape.

Then the outer spire of the new reel is adhered to the second adhesive layer 3, thereby closing the new reel. This is effected by first removing the third portion 6c of the release liner 6 thereby exposing the reel closing adhesive zone 3d. The outer spire of the new reel is then adhered to the exposed reel closing adhesive zone 3d of the second adhesive layer 3. This is effected with sufficient hand pressure to assure a total closure of the new paper reel and without unevenness to avoid air tunnelling. After closure of the new paper reel, the waste paper is removed to assure a straight clean paper edge to avoid flapping of paper during acceleration.

Then the inner spire of the old reel is adhered to the second adhesive layer 3.

This is effected, as can be seen in Figure 6b by first removing the second portion 6b of the release liner 6 shortly before the splicing is effected, thereby exposing the splicing adhesive zone 3c. Then the new paper reel is brought to the same speed as the old paper reel. The splice is then being made between the inner paper winding of the old reel and the outer spire of the new reel, shown in Figure 6c. After the cleavage has occurred along the perforation or cleavage means 4, one part of the adhesive tape (first adhesive layer 2, first portions 1a, 3a, 6a) remains on the new reel and the other part (second portions 1b, 3b) adheres to the inner and outer spire of the old and new reel. This is shown in Figure 6d.

The adhesive tape according to the first embodiment used in the process explained in Fig. 6a-d can be replaced by the adhesive tape according to the second embodiment or by the adhesive tape according to the third embodiment. The method does not have to be modified since the position of the reel closing zone 3d and the reel splicing zone 3c with respect to the new reel remains in all cases the same. The use of the adhesive tape according to the third embodiment allows an even more precise positioning of the tape on the new reel due to the two adhesive layers 2, 2' provided on the lower side of the backing layer that faces the surfaces of the new reel. The total closing and splicing action is not changed thereby and corresponds to the process described in conjunction with the use of the adhesive tape according to the first embodiment.

An example of a method using an adhesive tape according to the fourth embodiment is shown in Fig. 7a-e.

After the first portion 60a of the release liner 60 has been removed from the first portion 30a of the second adhesive layer 30, the adhesive tape is applied with the said exposed first portion 30a of the second adhesive layer 30 to the new paper reel as shown in Fig. 7a.

In this conjunction it should be noted that the dimensions, especially the thickness of the layers of the adhesive tape are only schematically depicted to ease the understanding of the invention and do not correspond to the real layer thickness. Specifically, the connection between the first portion 30a of the second adhesive layer and the new reel has been drawn to illustrate the contact between the first portion 30a of the second adhesive layer 30 with the new reel wherein the thickness of said first portion 30a is indeed not changed. Due to the thin layered configuration of the adhesive tape it is possible without difficulties to adhere the first portion 30a of the second adhesive layer 30 to the new reel while the release liner 60 is maintained on the second portion 30b of the second adhesive layer 30. In the arrangement of the tape shown in Fig. 7a, the second portion 30b of the second adhesive layer 30 faces the new reel wherein the release liner 60, specifically the second and third portion 60b, 60c of the release liner 60 are interposed between the surface of the new reel and the second portion 30b of the second adhesive layer 30 to prevent that the adhesive layer adheres with its second portion 30b to the new reel. The first adhesive layer 2 on the opposite side of the backing layer 1 is in this position on top of the adhesive tape facing away from the new reel.

The free part of the adhesive tape is then folded back, as shown in Fig. 7b, so that the first adhesive layer 2 is adhered to the paper reel creating no pleats or folds. Thus, the adhesive tape is attached to the new reel at two points or two areas, namely at the first portion 30a of the second adhesive layer 30 and the first adhesive layer 2, thereby providing for a precise positioning of the adhesive tape.

As shown in Fig. 7 the third portion 60c of the release liner 60 is removed thereby exposing the reel closing zone 3Od having the reel closing adhesive 3Od¹. The bobbin is closed by adhering the outer spire of the new paper reel to the reel closing zone 3Od of the second adhesive layer 30 as depicted in Fig. 7c with sufficient hand pressure to assure a total closure of said new bobbin without creating any pleats or folds to avoid air tunneling. The waste paper is removed after closing the new paper reel to assure a straight clean paper edge to avoid flapping of the paper during acceleration.

In a further step, the second portion 60b of the release liner 60 is removed thereby exposing the reel splicing zone 30c having the reel splicing adhesive 30c'. The adhesive tape is now ready to be spliced to the (almost) inner layer of the old bobbin, only shortly before the splice is being made (Fig. 7c).

The new reel is brought the same speed as the old reel (acceleration).

The splice can now be made between the inner winding of the old roll and the outer spire of the new reel as shown in Fig. 7d wherein the inner layer of the old bobbin is adhered to the reel splicing zone 30c.

A safe cleavage is secured by means of the cleavage means 40 (perforation) and the splittable first adhesive layer 2 which allows to separate the second portion 1 b of the backing layer 1 and the reel closing zone 3Od and the reel splicing zone 30c applied thereto. The first portion 30a of the second adhesive layer 30 together with the first portion 1a of the backing layer 1 as well as part of the first adhesive layer 2 remain on the new reel. Said remaining elements are not sticky such that the further processing of the paper is not impaired.

In the following an embodiment of the method for changing a reel using the adhesive tape according to the fifth embodiment is described with reference to Fig. 8a-d.

The adhesive tape according to the fifth embodiment is attached either with the first portion 300a or the second portion 300a¹ to the new reel and the respective other (free) portion 300a, 300a' of the adhesive layer 300 is then folded back. The folded back, free portion 300a, 300a' of the adhesive layer 300 is bent inwards such that said free portion 300a, 300a¹ faces the new reel and can likewise be attached to the new reel to obtain the position of the adhesive tape shown in Fig. 8a. Thereby, the adhesive tape is precisely positioned on the new reel while the second portion 300b of the sole adhesive layer 300 is brought into a position wherein the second portion 300b faces away from the new feel and, thus, is easily accessible.

In a next step, the first portion 600a of the release liner 600 is removed thereby exposing the reel closing zone 30Od of the adhesive layer 300. The outer spire of the new paper is adhered to said exposed reel closing zone 30Od thereby closing the bobbin as shown in Figures 8b with sufficient hand pressure to assure a total closure of the new bobbin without creating any pleats or folds to avoid air tunneling. After the closure of the new paper reel, the waste paper is removed to assure a straight, clean paper edge and to avoid flapping of paper during acceleration.

Then the second portion 600b of the release liner 600 is removed to expose the reel splicing zone 300b of the adhesive layer 300 such that the adhesive tape is ready for splicing as shown in Figure 8c. The almost inner layer of the old bobbin is brought into contact with the exposed reel splicing zone 300c and the new reel is accelerated to the same speed as the old reel.

As shown in Figure 8d, the splice is carried out thereby separating the second portion 1 b of the backing layer and the reel closing zone 30Od and the reel splicing zone 300c provided thereon. The first and third portions 1a, 1a' and 300a, 300a' of the adhesive tape remain as non-sticky elements on the reel as shown in Figure 8d.

All of the embodiments described have in common that each adhesive tape comprises different adhesives. Preferably, these different adhesives are applied in the reel closing zone and the reel splicing zone thereby improving the functional properties of the two zones. Any commercially available adhesive can be used. Examples of adhesives produced by the applicant which can be employed for the reel-splicing zone and the reel- closing zone are given below:

• Reel-splicing zone:

Repulpable types (water soluble types): R9410, R9411 , 509A Solvent types: 5033X, D9625, D2061

• Reel-closing zone:

Repulpable types: R9401 , R9402, 509N, R9420 Solvent types: 5015E, D9605

In case of double sided adhesive tapes it is also possible to use different adhesives on each side of the backing layer. Thus, it is also possible to make the adhesive closing zone and the adhesive slicing zone of the second adhesive layer of the same adhesive, wherein the first adhesive layer on the opposite of the backing layer is made from a different adhesive. It is also possible to apply three different adhesives for the closing zone and the slicing zone of the second adhesive layer and the first adhesive layer provided on the opposite side of the backing layer.

The adhesive concept can be applied to adhesive tapes having various layouts. For example, it is possible to use said adhesive concept with the double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tapes having one or two perforations. Moreover, it is possible to employ the concept using different adhesives with the double or single sided pressure sensitive tapes which are adapted to be folded back to be positioned on the new reel.

Claims

1. An adhesive tape for flying reel changes having a backing layer (1) and at least one adhesive layer (3, 30, 300) provided on the backing layer (1), characterized in that said at least one adhesive layer (3, 30, 300) comprises different adhesives (3c¹, 3d', 30c', 3Od', 300c', 30Od').

2. The adhesive tape according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one adhesive layer (3, 30, 300) comprises a zone (3c, 30c, 300c) having a reel splicing adhesive (3c¹, 30c', 300c') and a zone (3d, 3Od, 30Od) having a reel closing adhesive (3d¹, 3Od', 30Od'), the reel splicing adhesive (3c', 30c', 300c') and the reel closing adhesive (3d', 3Od', 30Od') being different adhesives.

3. The adhesive tape according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the zone (3c, 30c, 300c) having the reel splicing adhesive (3c¹, 30c', 300c') and the thickness of the zone (3d, 3Od, 30Od) having the reel closing adhesive (3d', 3Od', 30Od') are in a range of 40 to 100 μm.

4. The adhesive tape according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the thickness of the zone (3c, 30c, 300c) having the reel splicing adhesive (3c¹, 30c', 300c') is equal to the thickness of the zone (3d, 3Od, 30Od) having the reel closing adhesive (3d¹, 3Od', 30Od').

5. The adhesive tape according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a first adhesive layer (2) is provided on one side of the backing layer (1) and the at least one adhesive layer (3, 30, 300) is formed as a second adhesive layer (3, 30) provided on the other side of the backing layer (1).

6. The adhesive tape according to claim 5, wherein the first adhesive layer (2) comprises an adhesive (2') which is different from the adhesives (3c', 3d', 30c', 3Od') of the second adhesive layer (3, 30) or which corresponds to one of the adhesives (3c¹, 3d', 30c', 3Od') of the second adhesive layer (3, 30).

7. The adhesive tape according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one cleavage means (4) is provided substantially transverse to at least said backing layer (1), thereby dividing said backing layer (1) into at least a first portion (1a) and a second portion (1 b), wherein the first adhesive layer (2) is not effective in the area of the second portion (1b) of the backing layer (1) and the second adhesive layer (3) is not effective in the area of the first portion (1 a) of the backing layer (1 ).

8. The adhesive tape according to claim 7, wherein the first adhesive layer (2) is provided only on the first portion (1a) of the backing layer (1).

9. The adhesive tape according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second adhesive layer (3) is provided only on the second portion (1b) of the backing layer (1).

10. The adhesive tape according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second adhesive layer (3) is provided on the first portion (1a) and on the second portion (1b) of the backing layer (1), the second adhesive layer (3) being covered at least in the area of the first portion (1a) of the backing layer (1), and the at least one cleavage means (4) is provided in the second adhesive layer (3) thereby dividing said second adhesive layer (3) in a first and a second portion (3a, 3b).

11. The adhesive tape according to at least one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the backing layer (1) comprises a third portion (1a¹) adjacent to the second portion (1b) of the backing layer (1) and a further cleavage means (4¹) provided between the third portion (1 a') and the second portion (1b) of the backing layer (1), wherein a third adhesive layer (2') is provided on said third portion (1a¹) of the backing layer (1).

12. The adhesive tape according to at least one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the zone (3c) having the reel splicing adhesive (3c¹) and the zone (3d) having the reel closing adhesive (3d¹) are provided on the second portion (1b) of the backing layer (1).

13. The adhesive tape according to at least one of claims 5 to 12, wherein a release liner (6) is provided on the second adhesive layer (3).

14. The adhesive tape according to claim 13, wherein the release liner (6) comprises at least one slit (7) wherein the position of the slit (7) corresponds to the position of an interface (3e) between the zone (3c) having the reel splicing adhesive (3c¹) and the zone (3d) having the reel closing adhesive (3d¹).

15. The adhesive tape according to claim 14, wherein the release liner (6) comprises a further slit (8) wherein the position of the further slit (8) corresponds to the position of the cleavage means (4).

16. The adhesive tape according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one cleavage means (40) is provided substantially transverse to said backing layer (1) and the second adhesive layer (30), thereby dividing each of said backing layer (1) and said second adhesive layer (30) into a first portion (1a, 30a) and a second portion (1b, 30b), wherein the first adhesive layer (2) is spaced apart from the at least one cleavage means (40).

17. The adhesive tape according to claim 16, wherein the zone (30c) having the reel splicing adhesive (30c¹) and the zone (3Od) having the reel closing adhesive (3Od') of the second adhesive layer (30) are provided on one side of the second portion (1b) of the backing layer (1) and the first adhesive layer (2) is provided on the opposite side of the second portion (1b) of the backing layer (1).

18. The adhesive tape according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first adhesive layer (2) is splittable in a longitudinal direction of the tape.

19. The adhesive tape according to at least one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the second adhesive layer (30) is covered by a release liner (60) which is provided with at least one slit (70) wherein the position of the slit (70) corresponds to the position of the cleavage means (40).

20. The adhesive tape according to claim 19, wherein the release liner (60) is provided with a further slit (80) and the position of the further slit (80) corresponds to the position of an interface (3Oe) between the zone (30c) having the reel splicing adhesive (30c¹) and the zone (3Od) having the reel closing adhesive (3Od') of the second adhesive layer (30).

21. The adhesive tape according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein two cleavage means (400) are provided substantially transverse to said backing layer (1) and the adhesive layer (300).

22. The adhesive tape according to claim 21 , wherein the zone (300c) having the reel splicing adhesive (30Oc') and the zone (30Od) having the reel closing adhesive (30Od¹) are provided between the two cleavage means (400).

23. The adhesive tape according to claim 22, wherein a release liner (600) is provided on the zone (300c) having the reel splicing adhesive (300c¹) and on the zone (30Od) having the reel closing adhesive (30Od'), the release liner (600) having a slit (700), wherein the position of the slit (700) corresponds to the position of an interface (30Oe) between the zone (300c) having the reel splicing adhesive (300c¹) and the zone (30Od) having the reel closing adhesive (30Od').

24. An adhesive tape for flying reel changes having a backing layer (1) and at least two adhesive layers (2, 3, 30) provided on the backing layer (1), characterized in that said two adhesive layers (2, 3, 30) comprise different adhesives (2', 3c', 3d', 30c', 3Od').

25. A method for changing a reel, in particular a paper reel, comprising the steps: a) adhering an adhesive tape according to at least one of claims 5 to 15 with the first adhesive layer (2) to the new reel to be spliced; b) adhering the outer spire of the new reel to the zone (3d) having the reel closing adhesive (3d¹) of the second adhesive layer (3) thereby closing the new reel; and c) adhering the inner spire of the old reel to the zone (3c) having the reel splicing adhesive (3c¹) of the second adhesive layer (3).

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein step b) comprises the steps: b1) removing the release liner (6) to expose only the zone (3d) having the reel closing adhesive (3d') of the second adhesive layer (3); b2) adhering the outer spire of the new reel to the zone (3d) having the reel closing adhesive (3d¹); b3) removing the waste paper in order to provide a straight, clean paper edge; and wherein step c) comprises the steps: c1) removing the release liner (6) shortly before the splicing is effected to expose the zone (3c) having the reel splicing adhesive (3c¹) of the second adhesive layer (3); and c2) adhering the (almost) inner spire of the old reel to the zone (3c) having the reel splicing adhesive (3c').

27. A method for changing a reel, in particular a paper reel, comprising the steps: a) adhering an adhesive tape according to at least one of claims 17 to 20 with the first portion (30a) of the second adhesive layer (30) to the new reel to be spliced; b) folding back a free part of the tape and adhering the first adhesive layer (2) to the new reel to be spliced; c) adhering the outer spire of the new reel to the zone (3Od) having the reel closing adhesive (3Od¹) of the second adhesive layer (30) thereby closing the new reel; and d) adhering the inner spire of the old reel to the zone (30c) having the reel splicing adhesive (30c¹) of the second adhesive layer (30).

28. A method for changing a reel, in particular a paper reel, comprising the steps: a) adhering an adhesive tape according to claim 23 with a portion (300a) of the adhesive layer (300) to the new reel to be spliced which is separable from the zone (300c) having the reel splicing adhesive (30Oc') and the zone (30Od) having the reel closing adhesive (30Od') by means of one of the cleavage means (400); b) folding back a free part of the tape and adhering a further portion (30Oa') of the adhesive layer (300) to the new reel to be spliced which is separable from the zone (300c) having the reel splicing adhesive (30Oc') and the zone (30Od) having the reel closing adhesive (30Od') by means of the other of the cleavage means (400); c) adhering the outer spire of the new reel to the zone (30Od) having the reel closing adhesive (30Od') of the adhesive layer (300) thereby closing the new reel; and d) adhering the inner spire of the old reel to the zone (300c) having the reel splicing adhesive (30Oc') of the adhesive layer (300).