Release strip with partible break to facilitate removal of adhesive coated strip

In embodiments of the present invention, the tearable feature in the release strips facilitates the separation of adhesive coated strips remaining in the corresponding structure of the release stripe. This feature permits the use of only one component and, more importantly, allows the exclusion of small parts that may be dangerous in medical and oral applications.

Furthermore, the production of tearable parts, which requires the production of simple marked lines, can be adapted to production systems. The tearable parts may either be marked along the entire opening strip, or may be in the form of a weak strength line that provides a tear along the tearable parts. This provides an uninterrupted network for production.

Examples of embodiments of the present invention are products such as transdermal patches, bandages and tooth whitening strips. The transdermal patches generally comprise an adhesive for attaching the transdermal patch to a desired location on a first side of the wearer's skin, and a piece of thin polyethylene film for transporting and maintaining a dose of adhesive and drug on a second side. Transdermal patches containing a dose of drug integrated into the adhesive matrix are now known.

The present invention can also be applied to general household bandages, wherein the present application results in two-part release films to be discarded.

The present invention can also be applied to tooth whitening strips consisting of a thin polyethylene film having an adhesive gel coating applied thereto. The adhesive gel coating is protected until an opening film is typically prepared for application by the user to the teeth with a treated release material such as a fluoropolymer treated polyester. It is particularly desirable to eliminate small parts of the release film which are disposed as waste pieces that can escape into the mouth in the case of tooth whitening stains. In addition, the adhesive gel is a relatively thick viscous coating, especially with respect to the thin polyethylene film, so that the product benefits from the use of a relatively stable release film in one piece. In the absence of the practice of the present invention, the user will have to initiate the separation of the gel-coated thin film with an apparatus in general using a fingernail. An attempt to capture one end of the tooth whitening strip using the tab to allow separation of the opening film followed by an initial end will easily cause the initial end to adhere to itself. This attempt to prevent undesirable folding may result in the thin film being further rolled, loss of gel, and unwanted placement and adhesion on the teeth.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications within the scope of the invention are considered to be included in the appended claims.

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