Paper Coating with Zinc Crosslinked Polymer Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to find an environmentally acceptable alternative to fluorocarbons and high aspect ratio nanofillers for paper coatings that maintains oil, grease, and block resistance without compromising flexibility, especially for packaging applications that require creasing or folding.

Innovation Solution

A paper coating composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles with specific glass transition temperature phases and a weight ratio, along with zinc or zirconium ions, which excludes high aspect ratio nanofillers to achieve improved oil, grease, and block resistance while maintaining flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If fluorocarbons are used in paper coating, then oil and grease resistance is improved, but environmental acceptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil and grease resistanceVSAvoidenvironmental harm
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes fluorocarbons from the paper coating formulation, replacing them with alternative materials (polymer乳液 and metal ions) that provide the same oil and grease resistance function without the environmental harm associated with fluorocarbons

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating by substituting fluorocarbon compounds with polymer乳液 containing specific glass transition temperature phases and metal ions, thereby maintaining performance while improving environmental compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If high aspect ratio nanofillers are used in paper coating, then oil and grease resistance is improved, but flexibility and foldability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil and grease resistanceVSAvoidflexibility and foldability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes high aspect ratio nanofillers from the coating formulation and replaces them with polymer乳液 and metal ion combinations that provide equivalent barrier performance without compromising the flexibility and foldability of the paper substrate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and size parameters of the coating components by using polymer particles with specific glass transition temperatures instead of rigid nanofiller particles, thereby maintaining barrier properties while preserving substrate flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If polymer particles with specific Tg phases are used, then block resistance is improved, but coating complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblock resistanceVSAvoidcoating formulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating polymer particles with distinct phases having different glass transition temperatures, where each phase performs a specific function (one phase provides block resistance while another provides flexibility), thereby achieving superior performance through localized functional differentiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite polymer particles containing multiple phases with different Tg values, combining the benefits of high-temperature phase (block resistance) and low-temperature phase (flexibility) within a single material system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides an environmentally friendly paper coating with enhanced resistance to oil, grease, and block, while ensuring flexibility for packaging applications, as demonstrated by improved block resistance and tack performance without the need for nanofillers.

Implementation Method 1

the polymer particles comprise a first phase having a Tg of greater than 50 °C and a second phase having a Tg of less than 35 °C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGlass transition temperature phase separation:

Implementation Method 2

the paper coating composition further comprises from 0.05 to 5 weight percent Zn++

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMetal ion crosslinking:

Data Source

PatentEP3431283B1Latex formulation with a multivalent metal ion
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to composition and an article prepared by applying the composition to paper. The composition comprises an aqueous dispersion of acrylic or styrene acrylic polymer particles having a hard phase and a soft phase, wherein both phases comprise structural units of an specific acid monomer. The composition further includes sub-stoichiometric levels of a Zn++ or Zr++++ with respect to the carboxylic acid groups. The composition is useful as imparting block and tack resistance as a coating on paper.