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
Engineering 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)
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
Data Source
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.