Carpet Backing Dispersion for Adhesion and Moisture Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional latex adhesive backing systems for carpets lack moisture barrier properties, reduce recyclability, and have high molecular weights, while alternative polyolefin systems face issues with adhesion, viscosity, and production rates, making them inadequate replacements.

Innovation Solution

A carpet backing system using a dispersion of ethylene-based or propylene-based thermoplastic polymers with a stabilizing agent and filler in a liquid medium, providing adequate tuft bind strength, abrasion resistance, and flexibility, and allowing for high production rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional latex adhesive backing systems are used, then good adhesion and flexibility are achieved, but moisture barrier properties are lacking and recyclability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidmoisture barrier
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes latex and inorganic fillers from the adhesive backing system, extracting the harmful components that prevent moisture barrier properties and reduce recyclability, while retaining the essential adhesion function through polyolefin-based compositions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing latex with polyolefin polymers and eliminating inorganic fillers, thereby transforming the material properties to achieve both adhesion and moisture barrier capabilities while improving recyclability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of repair

If polyolefin adhesive systems are used to replace latex, then recyclability improves, but adhesion and viscosity control become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverecyclabilityVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining polyolefin polymer, polymeric stabilizing agent, and organic peroxide initiator, where each component contributes specific properties: polyolefin provides base adhesion and recyclability, stabilizing agent enhances performance, and peroxide enables curing to achieve sufficient adhesion strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes molecular weight parameters of the polyolefin polymer and controls the concentration of polymeric stabilizing agent and organic peroxide to achieve the desired balance between adhesion strength, viscosity control, and recyclability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high molecular weight latex is used, then adhesion is improved, but production rates decrease due to high viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidproduction rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the molecular weight parameter of the polyolefin polymer to an optimal range that provides sufficient adhesion while maintaining lower viscosity compared to high molecular weight latex, thereby enabling faster production rates without sacrificing bond strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves good tuft bind strength, abrasion resistance, and flexibility, while being recyclable and compatible with high production rates, addressing the limitations of existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

The dispersion includes an organic peroxide initiator for generating free radicals to initiate polymerization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFree radical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

the adhesive backing material should substantially penetrate the yarn (fiber bundle) exposed on the backside of the primary backing material and should substantially consolidate individual fibers within the yarn

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

a dispersion in a liquid medium comprising a base polymer, a polymeric stabilizing agent, an organic peroxide initiator, and water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP1920107B1carpet
Publication Date: 2011.02.16 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP1920107B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1920107B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1920107B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An aqueous dispersion including (A) at least one base polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-based co-polymer and a propylene-based co-polymer; (B) at least one polymeric stabilizing agent; and at least one filler; wherein the polymeric stabilizing agent is different from the at least one base polymer and is compatible with the at least one base polymer and the at least one filler, and wherein the dispersion has filler in the range of greater than 0 to about 600 parts per hundred parts of a combined amount of the at least one base polymer and the polymeric stabilizing agent is disclosed.