Multi-Color Adhesive System for Precise Color Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional adhesive systems face challenges in producing adhesives with a wide color spectrum, particularly in achieving precisely defined and reproducible colors, especially for shades of gray and beige, due to rapid solidification and high dye concentrations, which limits their application in materials like plastics, stones, and ceramics.

Innovation Solution

A multi-color component adhesive system comprising at least two miscible polymerizable components, with one component being colorless and the others containing different coloring agents, along with a separate hardener component, allowing for the creation of a polymerizable mixture of any color. This system includes thixotropic agents for consistent application and UV stabilizers to prevent yellowing, enabling precise color matching and reproducibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional adhesive systems use high concentration dye pastes for coloring, then color intensity is achieved, but manufacturing precision of defined and reproducible colors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor intensityVSAvoidcolor definition and reproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of coloring agents from high (conventional paste form) to low (0.01-10% by weight range), and introduces multiple coloring agents with different colors that can be mixed in varying proportions. This parameter change enables precise color definition and reproducibility while maintaining sufficient color intensity through the synergistic effect of multiple dyes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the coloring function into multiple separate coloring agents (different colors) that are distributed across different polymerizable components. Instead of using a single high-concentration dye paste, the system uses multiple low-concentration coloring agents that can be independently adjusted and mixed to achieve precise color matching and reproducibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If pre-colored adhesives are prepared in advance for different materials, then color matching is achieved, but adaptability deteriorates due to rapid solidification preventing mixing of different colors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor matchingVSAvoidcolor variety and customization
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics into the color matching process by providing separate polymerizable components with different coloring agents that remain liquid and mixable until the moment of use. The system transitions from static pre-colored adhesives to a dynamic mixing system where colors can be adjusted and combined on-demand, enabling both precise color matching and high adaptability through rapid mixing before polymerization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-preparing multiple polymerizable components with different coloring agents in liquid form, but delays the color mixing until the moment of application. This allows the system to maintain color stability during storage while enabling flexible color customization during use, resolving the contradiction between color matching precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple polymerizable components with different coloring agents are mixed, then color spectrum and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor spectrumVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a unified system: the same polymerizable components that provide adhesive functionality also carry coloring agents. Instead of separate adhesive and coloring systems, the invention combines these functions, allowing color variety to be achieved through simple mixing of components that already serve dual purposes, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by designing polymerizable components that serve multiple functions: they act as both the adhesive base and the coloring medium. Each component contains both polymerizable compounds and coloring agents, allowing the same system to provide both bonding and coloration functions, thus achieving wide color spectrum without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system allows for the production of adhesives with a wide color range, ensuring precise and reproducible colors, rapid curing, and excellent adhesion to various substrates, including plastics, stones, and ceramics, while maintaining stability and resistance to environmental factors.

Implementation Method 1

comprising at least two polymerizable components, both components containing a coloring agent that are different colors from each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

This paste-like consistency is achieved by adding thixotropic agents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThixotropy: Thixotropy

Implementation Method 3

UV stabilizers to prevent yellowing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2000517B1Multiple colour component adhesive system
Publication Date: 2010.10.20 AKEMI CHEM TECHN SPEZIALFAB
  • EP2000517B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Multicolor component adhesive system comprises >= 2 mutually miscible polymerizable components, each has polymerizable compound(s). One component has no coloring agent and all other miscible polymerizable components have coloring agent(s); or each mutually miscible polymerizable component has coloring agent(s). Each of the polymerizable components having coloring agent(s) has coloring agents that are different in color from one another; and is present separately from one another. Independent claims are included for: (1) method of producing a color-matched adhesive comprising providing the multicolor component adhesive system, mixing the >= 2 miscible polymerizable components to a desired coloration, and mixing a curative component; and (2) method for providing material(s) of an adhesive compound, a joining compound, a repair material or filing material for plastics, a natural stone, a ceramic, earthenware, porcelain, metals and wood.