Starch Ether Glue Stick Viscosity Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glue sticks face challenges with viscosity stabilization during production, leading to issues like low viscosity causing leakage and defects in abrasion properties, necessitating the use of cellulose derivatives, which affect strength and performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating hydroxyalkylcarboxymethyl starch with a viscosity of less than 2,000,000 mPas in an aqueous solution, eliminating the need for cellulose derivatives and enhancing adhesive strength and abrasion properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If cellulose derivatives are added to stabilize viscosity, then viscosity stability during production is improved, but strength and abrasion properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviscosity stabilityVSAvoidstrength and abrasion properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes cellulose derivatives from the formulation entirely, extracting the harmful element that caused the contradiction. Instead of stabilizing viscosity with cellulose derivatives, the invention uses hydroxyalkylcarboxymethyl starch as the sole thickening agent, which provides viscosity stability without compromising strength and abrasion properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing cellulose derivatives with hydroxyalkylcarboxymethyl starch. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing a substance that maintains viscosity stability while preserving mechanical properties like strength and abrasion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If low viscosity adhesive is used, then ease of application is improved, but leakage during production occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidleakage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter of the adhesive formulation by using hydroxyalkylcarboxymethyl starch with specific viscosity characteristics. This parameter change enables the adhesive to maintain appropriate flow properties for easy application while preventing leakage during the filling process at temperatures above 50°C.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If synthetic polymers are used as adhesive components, then adhesive performance is improved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive performanceVSAvoidenvironmental sustainability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces persistent synthetic polymers with starch-based adhesives that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. This substitution maintains adhesive performance while eliminating the environmental harm associated with non-biodegradable synthetic materials, aligning with sustainable development goals.

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

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 improved strength, uniform abrasion, and storage stability without cellulose derivatives, ensuring the glue sticks maintain adhesive properties and do not yellow over time, with enhanced handling and bonding capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

contains an aqueous preparation of at least one hydroxyalkylcarboxymethyl starch with a viscosity of less than 2,000,000 mPas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity stabilization:

Implementation Method 2

the mixture of substances solidifies to a greater or lesser extent stiff soap gel, in which the shape-giving and comparatively rigid micelle structure of such soap gels initially appears predominantly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicelle formation:

Implementation Method 3

the mixture of substances solidifies to a greater or lesser extent stiff soap gel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Implementation Method 4

If the inherently highly sticky aqueous preparations of the polymer substances with adhesive character are heated together with small amounts of the scaffolding substance based on fatty acid soaps to higher temperatures, in particular above 50 ° C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal transformation: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2675858B1Glue stick based on starch mixed ethers
Publication Date: 2014.12.24 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

The invention relates to a glue stick, containing an aqueous preparation of at least one hydroxyalkyl carboxymethyl starch having a viscosity less than 2,000,000 mPas, determined as a 40-wt% aqueous solution by means of a Brookfield RVT viscometer at 20°C, spindle 7.20 rpm, and soap. The invention further relates to the production of the glue stick and to the use thereof to connect substrates in a planar manner, in particular to connect paper, cardboard, wood, and/or plastic to each other.