Polyolefin Tie-Layer Adhesive for Clarity and Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adhesive compositions for multi-layer structures face challenges in achieving good adhesion and high clarity while avoiding expensive additives and performance tradeoffs, particularly when binding dissimilar resin layers in food packaging and other applications.

Innovation Solution

A polyolefin-based composition comprising a grafted polyolefin, a first polyolefin polymer, and a polypropylene-containing blend, with specific weight percentages of each component, optionally including additives, to create a tie-layer adhesive for multi-layer structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional adhesive compositions are used to bind dissimilar resin layers, then adhesion is achieved, but clarity is compromised and expensive additives are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidclarity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite adhesive composition comprising multiple polyolefin components (grafted polyolefin, first polyolefin polymer, and polypropylene-containing blend) in specific weight ratios. This composite approach enables the adhesive to simultaneously achieve strong adhesion to dissimilar resin layers and maintain high clarity, eliminating the need for expensive additives while resolving the contradiction between adhesion performance and optical transparency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the weight percentages of each component in the adhesive composition (grafted polyolefin: 1-30%, first polyolefin polymer: 10-80%, polypropylene-containing blend: 10-40%) to achieve the desired balance between adhesion and clarity. By carefully controlling these compositional parameters, the adhesive provides effective bonding while maintaining high transparency, thereby resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If expensive additives are used to improve adhesion performance, then bonding strength is enhanced, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive additives with a cost-effective combination of commonly available polyolefin materials. The adhesive composition uses standard polyolefin polymers and blends that can be processed with familiar equipment and techniques, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining strong adhesion performance to dissimilar resin layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The composite nature of the adhesive, combining multiple polyolefin components in optimized ratios, provides strong adhesion without requiring expensive specialty additives. This approach achieves reliable bonding to dissimilar resins while keeping material costs low and compatible with economical manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If complex adhesive formulations are used to achieve high performance, then adhesion and clarity are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a homogeneous family of polyolefin materials (all components are polyolefin-based) that are compatible with standard plastic processing equipment. This homogeneity within the polyolefin class simplifies manufacturing compared to formulations requiring incompatible materials, while still achieving the desired adhesion and clarity performance through optimized compositional ratios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

While the adhesive is a composite of three components, all components are polyolefin-based and can be processed together using conventional extrusion and molding equipment. The composite formulation achieves high performance without requiring complex multi-material processing systems, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while delivering superior adhesion and clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS9803074B2Polyolefin-based compositions, adhesives, and related multi-layered structures prepared therefrom
Publication Date: 2017.10.31 EQUISTAR CHEMICALS LP

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a polyolefin-based composition suitable for use as adhesives and/or tie-layer adhesive compositions as well as a multi-layered structure made from and/or containing the polyolefin-based composition. The polyolefin-based composition is made from and/or contains (a) a grafted polyolefin composition, (b) a first polymer composition, (c) a polypropylene-containing blend composition, and (d) optionally, an additives composition having one or more additives.