Packaged Viscoelastic Polymer Substance for Reliable Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to reliably package viscoelastic polymers with high molecular weights for self-adhesive compositions due to processing temperature risks and internal pressure issues, leading to damage or leakage during storage and processing, and lack efficient methods for large-scale production and transportation of these polymers.
Innovation Solution
A method involving plastifying viscoelastic polymer substances based on poly(meth)acrylates with high molecular weights, continuously dispensing them into a protective polymer film, flattening and cooling the assembly, and winding it onto a reel to create a stable, transportable, and storable form with minimal protective polymer content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If high processing temperatures are used to plastify viscoelastic polymers with high molecular weights, then the polymers can be processed into fluid state for packaging, but the protective polymer may melt or be damaged causing the viscoelastic polymer to emerge and rendering further processing impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter during the packaging process by using a two-stage approach: initial heating to a moderate temperature (below the protective polymer's melting point) for sufficient plastification, followed by rapid cooling to lock the protective polymer in place. This parameter change allows the viscoelastic polymer to be processed while preventing protective polymer damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the viscoelastic polymer to a temperature that provides sufficient fluidity for packaging but remains below the protective polymer's melting point. This preliminary temperature selection enables successful encapsulation before any potential damage to the protective polymer can occur.
2Reliability
If larger amounts of protective polymer are used to prevent emergence of viscoelastic polymer, then the protective effect is improved, but the fraction of nonadhesive protective polymer increases which affects the properties of the pressure-sensitive hotmelt adhesive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter during processing to achieve sufficient fluidity at lower temperatures, which allows the use of minimal protective polymer fractions (0.1-5 wt%). This temperature optimization prevents the need for excessive protective polymer that would compromise adhesive properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using only the minimum necessary amount of protective polymer (0.1-5 wt%) required to prevent emergence during storage and transport. This minimal fraction is sufficient when combined with optimized processing temperatures, avoiding the need for excessive protective polymer that would harm adhesive performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If viscoelastic polymers are packaged at room temperature, then storage is simplified, but the polymers have high viscosities making them difficult to package and requiring large amounts of thermal energy for heating and cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter during packaging to a moderate elevated temperature that provides sufficient fluidity without requiring excessive heating. This optimized temperature reduces the thermal energy input needed for packaging while still enabling the polymer to be formed into packable shapes that can be stored at simplified conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition principles by heating the viscoelastic polymer to a temperature where it transitions to a more fluid state suitable for packaging, then rapidly cooling it to lock the desired shape. This controlled phase transition approach minimizes the total thermal energy required compared to prolonged heating or cooling cycles.
4Reliability
If the protective polymer envelope is sealed tightly to prevent leakage, then storage stability is improved, but internal pressure builds up during singularization causing the envelope to open at seams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing singularization (cutting into individual portions) immediately after packaging while the polymer is still warm and slightly more flexible. This timing allows the protective polymer envelope to accommodate internal pressure better during cutting, reducing the risk of seam opening while maintaining storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter during singularization to a slightly elevated level where the protective polymer has reduced rigidity and can better accommodate internal pressure. This temperature optimization prevents envelope opening during cutting while ensuring stable sealing during subsequent storage at lower temperatures.
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 method enables the production of large quantities of packaged viscoelastic polymer substances that are stable, transportable, and storable, reducing the risk of sticking and blocking, while allowing for efficient further processing under heat and shear, ensuring the protective polymer is uniformly distributed and the polymer remains plastically deformable.
Implementation Method 1
providing and plastifying a viscoelastic polymer substance at elevated temperatures
Implementation Method 2
continuously dispensing the plastified viscoelastic polymer substance into a protective polymer film
Implementation Method 3
cooling the strandlike polymer assembly to a temperature at which the polymer assembly is still plastically deformable
Implementation Method 4
subsequently winding the flattened strandlike polymer assembly onto a reel
Data Source
AI summary
Packaged viscoelastic polymer substances and methods for the production of the packaged viscoelastic polymer substances are provided. The packaged viscoelastic polymer substances are further processable under the influence of heat and shear.