Curable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Composition for Printed Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a challenge in creating adhesive articles with small dimensions and complex shapes, as cutting large adhesive articles can be difficult and wasteful, and existing technologies lack adhesive compositions that can be easily printed or dispensed to the desired size and shape.
Innovation Solution
A curable composition containing a (meth)acrylate-based polymer with pendant (meth)acryloyl groups, a monomer with a single ethylenically unsaturated group, a photoinitiator comprising acyl phosphine oxide, and a thixotropic agent comprising inorganic oxide particles, which can be printed or dispensed and cured to form pressure-sensitive adhesives without the need for die-cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If adhesive articles are created by cutting large adhesive articles to desired size and shape, then adhesive articles with small dimensions and complex shapes can be obtained, but the process becomes difficult and wasteful
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive composition is formulated with specific rheological properties (thixotropic behavior, controlled viscosity) that enable it to be deposited in the final shape and size directly during application, rather than being applied in large sheets and cut later. This preliminary shaping action eliminates the need for subsequent cutting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cutting process with a deposition-based approach. By controlling the flow and curing characteristics of the adhesive composition, the desired shape is achieved through the deposition process itself, substituting mechanical cutting with a chemical/rheological control mechanism.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive compositions are designed for printing or dispensing to desired size and shape, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the composition must achieve precise rheological control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies key rheological parameters of the adhesive composition, including viscosity (300-10,000 cP), thixotropic index (0.1-1.0), and gel time (1-300 seconds), to enable controlled deposition and shaping. These parameter changes allow the composition to flow during application but maintain shape after deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive composition is formulated as a complex composite containing polymer resin, reactive diluent, photoinitiator, and rheology modifiers in specific proportions. This composite structure provides the necessary rheological control while maintaining adhesive performance.
3Manufacturing precision
If the curable composition contains thixotropic agents and specific polymers, then the composition can be printed or dispensed with precise shape control, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating specific functional components (thixotropic agents, photoinitiators, rheology modifiers) at controlled concentrations within specific ranges. Each component serves a localized function: thixotropic agents provide shear-thinning behavior, photoinitiators enable UV curing, and rheology modifiers control flow characteristics.
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 allows for the creation of adhesive articles with precise dimensions and shapes without the need for die-cutting, reducing waste and simplifying the manufacturing process by enabling the composition to be printed or dispensed directly onto a substrate and cured to form a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Implementation Method 1
Cured compositions can be prepared by exposing the curable composition to actinic radiation such as ultraviolet and/or visible radiation
Implementation Method 2
a thixotropic agent comprising inorganic oxide particles
Data Source
AI summary
Curable compositions, cured compositions, articles containing the curable or cured compositions, and methods of making the articles are provided. More particularly, the curable compositions contain a (meth)acrylate-based polymer having pendant (meth)acryloyl groups, at least one monomer having a single ethylenically unsaturated group, a photoinitiator that includes an acyl phosphine oxide, and a thixotropic agent. The curable compositions can be printed or dispensed, if desired, and the cured compositions are pressure-sensitive adhesives.