Gas Barrier Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Sheet for Contamination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pressure sensitive adhesive sheets for pharmaceutical and food containers face contamination issues due to the diffusion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the adhesive layer and low-molecular-weight components from the printing layer, which are not adequately suppressed by existing solutions.

Innovation Solution

A pressure sensitive adhesive sheet with a gas barrier base material, a thermoplastic elastomer-based adhesive layer, and a print-receiving layer is used, where the barrier base material is positioned between the printing layer and the adherend to prevent migration of components, and the adhesive layer is formed through extrusion to avoid solvent residues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional pressure sensitive adhesive sheet is used for pharmaceutical or food containers, then the adhesive function is provided, but volatile organic compounds diffuse from the adhesive layer to contaminate the container and stored products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidVOC diffusion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A gas barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary between the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and the resin container. This barrier layer specifically blocks the diffusion path of volatile organic compounds from the adhesive layer to the container, while allowing the adhesive to perform its bonding function. The barrier layer acts as a mediator that separates the adhesive function from the contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure sensitive adhesive sheet is constructed as a composite structure comprising multiple layers: a gas barrier layer (such as aluminum foil or metal vapor deposition layer), a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and optionally a release sheet layer. This composite structure combines the gas barrier properties of metals with the adhesive properties of polymers to achieve both contamination prevention and adhesive functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a printing layer is added to the pressure sensitive adhesive sheet for product information, then identification function is improved, but low-molecular-weight components from the printing layer migrate to contaminate the container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct identificationVSAvoidprinting layer component migration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas barrier layer serves as an intermediary barrier between the printing layer and the resin container. It blocks the migration path of low-molecular-weight components (such as oligomers, monomers, photoinitiators, and solvents) from the printing layer to the container, while allowing the printing layer to provide product identification information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If flexographic printing with UV ink is used to reduce printing costs and improve efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the amount of binder components increases causing more serious contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidbinder component contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas barrier layer acts as a mediator that blocks the contamination from flexographic printed binder components. This allows the use of efficient flexographic printing methods while preventing the associated contamination issue, as the barrier layer specifically targets the migration path of binder components to the container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration effectively suppresses contamination by reducing VOC diffusion and migration of printing layer components, ensuring the integrity of pharmaceutical and food products stored in resin containers.

Implementation Method 1

a barrier base material having gas barrier properties to water vapor and oxygen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion barrier: Diffusion Barrier

Implementation Method 2

a pressure sensitive adhesive layer laminated on a surface of the barrier base material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensitive adhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3378913B1Use of an indication label, and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 LINTEC CORP
  • EP3378913B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3378913B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3378913B1 patent drawing

AI summary

[Problems] Objects include providing a pressure sensitive adhesive sheet for an indication label with which the contamination of an adherend can be suppressed. [Solution] A pressure sensitive adhesive sheet (1) for an indication label is provided which comprises a barrier base material (10) having gas barrier properties to water vapor and oxygen and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer (20) laminated on a surface of the barrier base material (10). The pressure sensitive adhesive layer (20) is an extruded product of a pressure sensitive adhesive composition that contains a thermoplastic elastomer.