US 10,106,932 · Granted 2018-10-23
The Paper Behind Every Drywall Seam You've Ever Seen
This patent describes a special multi-layer paper tape that holds drywall seams together. It's engineered to be strong, flexible, and sticky enough to stay put while workers finish walls—basically the unsung hero holding your bedroom together.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a multi-ply paper substrate with specific performance characteristics: at least two layers bonded by adhesive, weighing between 80-200 grams per square meter, with defined internal bond strength (10-180 milli-ft.-lb/sq. in.), machine-direction tensile strength (20-300 lbf/inch width), and cross-direction tensile strength (10-300 lbf/inch width), all measured by standard industry test methods. Anyone manufacturing wallboard joint tape using this exact combination of weight, bonding, and tensile properties would be making an unauthorized copy.
Why it matters
Drywall finishing is one of the largest segments of residential and commercial construction. A paper tape substrate that balances strength with workability directly affects how quickly and cleanly contractors can finish walls. International Paper's patent protects a formula that likely became industry standard—controlling specifications for a material used in millions of homes annually. The specificity of the tensile and bonding claims suggests years of R&D to find the sweet spot between durability and ease of use.
Real-world use
Every time a contractor runs joint tape over a seam in your home before mudding and taping drywall, they're using a substrate engineered to these exact specifications.
Original USPTO abstract
A multi-ply paper substrate is provided, which comprises at least two plies bonded to one another by an adhesive; a basis weight of 80-200 gsm; an internal bond of 10-180 milli-ft.-lb/sq. in. as measured by TAPPI method 541; an MD tensile of 20-300 lb f /inch width as measured by TAPPI method 494; and a CD tensile of 10-300 lb f /inch width as measured by TAPPI method 494. Methods of making and using the paper substrate, products made therefrom, and uses of the paper substrate are also provided.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 10,106,932
- Filing date
- 2015-04-08
- Grant date
- 2018-10-23
- Assignee
- International Paper Company
- Inventor(s)
- ANDERSON, DENNIS W., SEALEY, JAMES E.
- CPC class
- D21H27/38
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