Pourable Urethane Adhesive for Multi-Substrate Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current glue products lack the adhesive capacity to effectively join difficult materials such as wood, metal, and plastic, and existing water-based wood glues do not utilize the full range of adhesion capabilities of waterborne polyurethane polymers.

Innovation Solution

A pourable glue formulation combining two aliphatic urethane polymers with specific viscosities and tensile strengths, along with additives like propylene glycol, ester alcohol, biocide, crosslinking agent, rheology modifier, and defoamer, to provide high strength, flexibility, abrasion resistance, and adhesion to various substrates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If PVP or modified-PVOH polymers are used in glue products, then paper items can be adhered together, but the adhesive capacity to join difficult materials such as wood, metal and plastic is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive capacityVSAvoidbond strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite adhesive formulation combining multiple polymers (PVA, PVP, carboxymethyl cellulose) with specific functional additives. This composite approach allows the adhesive to achieve both paper bonding capability and enhanced adhesion to difficult materials like wood, metal and plastic through the synergistic effects of different polymer components and their respective functional properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the adhesive formulation by changing key parameters including polymer composition ratios, molecular weights, and the addition of functional additives (surfactants, crosslinking agents, plasticizers). These parameter changes enable the adhesive to maintain bond strength while significantly improving its adaptability to various substrate types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If PVAc is used in water-based wood glues, then wood substrates can be adhered together, but adhesion to non-wood substrates is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate adhesionVSAvoidbond strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal adhesive formulation that can bond multiple substrate types (wood, metal, plastic, paper) through a multi-component polymer system. The combination of PVA, PVP, and carboxymethyl cellulose provides multi-functionality, allowing the same adhesive to effectively adhere to different material categories while maintaining consistent bond strength across applications

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If waterborne polyurethane polymers are used, then a greater range of adhesion is achieved, but the formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion rangeVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the adhesive formulation into distinct functional components: base polymers (PVA, PVP), functional additives (surfactants, crosslinking agents, plasticizers), and waterborne polyurethane polymers. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall formulation development and application process, despite the increased number of ingredients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 formulation forms a hard, flexible, and chemically resistant film with high gloss, offering excellent adhesion to a wide range of materials including wood, metal, and plastic, while maintaining stability and preventing microbial growth.

Implementation Method 1

a first aliphatic urethane polymer having a viscosity of about 200 cps, a modulus of about 6,000 psi, and a tensile strength of about 7,800 that is operative to form a hard, flexible, clear, high gloss film upon drying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFilm formation:

Implementation Method 2

a crosslinking agent, wherein the crosslinking agent is β-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltriethoxysilane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

a freeze-thaw stabilizer, wherein the a freeze-thaw stabilizer is propylene glycol having the formula C3H8O2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreeze-thaw stabilization: Freezing

Implementation Method 4

a biocide, wherein the biocide is an aqueous blend of chlorinated and non-chlorinated isothiazolinones and 2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiocidal action: Preservative

Implementation Method 5

a viscosity modifier, wherein the viscosity modifier is a hydrophobically modified polyethylene oxide urethane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRheology modification:

Data Source

PatentUS8871830B2High-strength glue formulation
Publication Date: 2014.10.28 SANFORD LP

AI summary

A pourable glue formulation is provided. The pourable glue formulation includes a first urethane polymer, wherein the first urethane polymer is operative to provide adequate tensile strength to the formulation; a second urethane polymer, wherein the second urethane polymer is operative to provide adequate flexibility to the formulation; propylene glycol; an ester alcohol; a biocide; a crosslinking agent; a defoamer; and a viscosity modifier.