Hydrophobic Low-Tg Oligomer with Chain Transfer for Tip-Drying Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional humectants used in colorant canisters to prevent tip drying cause water sensitivity and surfactant leaching, leading to unsightly streaks on paint films, and fail to maintain unobstructed dispensing of colorants.

Innovation Solution

A hydrophobic oligomer with a low glass transition temperature and high chain transfer agent is used, maintaining fluidity and preventing tip drying without affecting paint film quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hydrophilic humectants (e.g., polyethylene glycol) are added to colorant compositions to maintain fluidity and prevent tip drying, then the dispensing reliability is improved, but water sensitivity increases causing surfactant leaching and unsightly streaks on paint films

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing reliabilityVSAvoidsurfactant leaching

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity by using hydrophobic oligomers instead of conventional hydrophilic humectants. This parameter change allows the additive to maintain fluidity and prevent tip drying without causing water sensitivity and surfactant leaching that plague conventional hydrophilic additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using hydrophobic oligomers with specific local molecular characteristics (low molecular weight, specific functional groups) that provide moisture retention at the canister tip level without affecting the overall water sensitivity of the paint film system. The oligomers act locally at the dispensing interface without migrating to cause surfactant leaching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If hydrophilic additives are used to retain moisture in colorant canisters, then tip drying is prevented, but paint film quality deteriorates due to water sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture retentionVSAvoidwater sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the hydrophilicity parameter to hydrophobicity while maintaining the moisture retention function. Hydrophobic oligomers retain moisture through different mechanisms (physical entrapment, hydrogen bonding) rather than hydrophilic attraction, thereby preventing tip drying without introducing water sensitivity to the paint film.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophobic oligomers act as an intermediary substance that mediates between the need for moisture retention and the requirement for water sensitivity prevention. They provide a hydrophobic barrier that retains moisture locally at the tip while preventing water from penetrating into the paint film system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If chain transfer agents are used to control molecular weight during polymerization, then the oligomer structure is optimized for fluidity, but the complexity of the polymerization process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemolecular weight controlVSAvoidpolymerization process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses chain transfer agents to precisely control the molecular weight parameter of the oligomers, maintaining them in the low molecular weight range (typically below 10,000 g/mol) to ensure adequate fluidity and volatility characteristics. This parameter control allows optimization of dispensing properties without requiring complex polymerization equipment.

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 hydrophobic oligomer effectively prevents tip drying and maintains fluidity, reducing dispensing issues while ensuring paint film integrity and minimizing surfactant leaching.

Implementation Method 1

the inventive humectant is hydrophobic and are preferably oligomers or low molecular weight polymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

the inventive humectant utilizes a relatively high amount of chain transfer agent to maintain low molecular weight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChain transfer:

Implementation Method 3

the inventive humectant also has a low glass transition temperature (Tg), such that the inventive humectant remains in a liquid or viscous phase within the temperature ranges relevant for the application

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGlass transition:

Data Source

PatentUS12404358B2Hydrophobic, low glass transition temperature oligomer with chain transfer agent

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 COLUMBIA INSURANCE CO

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an additive for a paint or stain composition or for a colorant composition. The additive is polymerized from at least one acrylate monomer and a chain transfer agent. The additive has a weight molecular weight from about 2,000 Daltons to about 5,000 Daltons, and the chain transfer agent comprises a hydrogen-sulfur functionality. The additive's glass transition temperature ranges from about −50° C. to about −10° C. and the additive is hydrophobic.