Low-Tack Self-Adherent Adhesive Composition for Reclosable Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adhesives for reclosable packaging face challenges with high tack levels causing manufacturing issues and user discomfort, while solvent-based adhesives pose environmental and safety concerns, and UV-curable compositions need improvements for higher peel strength and reduced solvent use.

Innovation Solution

A curable composition comprising acrylate-functionalized urethane oligomers and poly(meth)acrylate-functionalized monomers, with limited hydrocarbon tackifier, that upon curing forms a low-tack, self-adherent adhesive with balanced soft and hard domains, achieved through controlled polymerization and radiation exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a high-tack pressure sensitive adhesive is used to provide strong bonding, then adhesive effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing problems occur (film does not unwind freely) and user comfort deteriorates (particulate products stick to adhesive, strong adhesion to fingers)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive bonding strengthVSAvoidfilm unwinding during manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the adhesive's tack level through formulation adjustments. Specifically, it uses a lower-tack pressure sensitive adhesive compared to conventional high-tack adhesives, changing the physical-chemical parameters of the adhesive to achieve both manufacturability and functional performance. The adhesive is formulated to have reduced initial tack while maintaining adequate bonding strength for reclosure applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If a lower-tack adhesive is used to improve manufacturability and user comfort, then film unwinding and user comfort are improved, but adhesive delamination from the packaging film occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm unwinding during manufacturingVSAvoidadhesive delamination resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by formulating the pressure sensitive adhesive as a complex composition containing multiple components including polymers, plasticizers, and other additives in specific proportions. This composite formulation enables the adhesive to simultaneously achieve lower tack for ease of manufacture and sufficient cohesive strength to prevent delamination, resolving the contradiction between manufacturability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If solvent-based adhesives are used to achieve desired adhesive properties, then adhesive performance is improved, but environmental and worker safety issues arise due to solvent removal requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive performanceVSAvoidenvironmental and safety issues from solvents
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by removing harmful solvents from the adhesive formulation entirely. It develops a solvent-free pressure sensitive adhesive composition that achieves the desired adhesive performance through careful selection and combination of polymer components and plasticizers, eliminating the need for solvent evaporation and associated environmental and safety concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If UV-curable compositions are used to create solvent-free adhesives, then environmental safety is improved, but peel strength and adhesive effectiveness need enhancement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolvent-free formulationVSAvoidpeel strength of adhesive
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the molecular weight, glass transition temperature, and chemical composition of the polymer components in the UV-curable adhesive system. It selects specific polymers and plasticizers with tailored properties to achieve adequate peel strength and adhesive effectiveness while maintaining the solvent-free formulation and UV-curable characteristics.

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 adhesive exhibits negligible tack, strong self-adhesion, and high peel strength, overcoming manufacturing and user comfort issues while being solvent-free and environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

UV-curable compositions which are free of solvent and which can be converted into a suitable pressure sensitive adhesive by exposing the UV-curable compositions to ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS12435171B2Curable compositions and low tack, self-adherent adhesives prepared therefrom
Publication Date: 2025.10.07 ARKEMA FRANCE SA

AI summary

A low tack, self-adherent adhesive is obtained by curing a composition containing at least one acrylate-functionalized urethane oligomer, at least one poly(meth)acrylate-functionalized monomer and, optionally, at least one free radical initiator such as a photoinitiator or peroxide, but little or no hydrocarbon tackifying resin. Such adhesives are useful for producing reclosable packaging, wherein strips of adhesive are arranged in an opposed manner such that a package may be repeatedly opened and then resealed.