UV-Curable Hot Melt Adhesive for Flooring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor coverings require complex installation processes and involve the use of solvent or water-based adhesives, which have drawbacks such as long drying times and VOC emissions.
Innovation Solution
A UV-curable hot melt adhesive composition is applied to the back of floor coverings, allowing for direct placement and immediate use without the need for drying time, and featuring a UV-curable acrylic co-polymer derived from a (meth)acrylic co-polymer covalently bound to specific compounds through their olefinic moiety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solvent or water-based adhesives are used for floor covering installation, then the adhesive can be applied and bonded, but long drying times are required and VOC emissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by using UV-curable acrylic co-polymer instead of traditional solvent or water-based adhesives. This parameter change enables the adhesive to cure instantly under UV radiation, eliminating the long drying times associated with conventional adhesives and significantly improving installation productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the evaporation-based drying mechanism of solvent/water-based adhesives with a photochemical curing mechanism. By incorporating UV-reactive groups into the acrylic co-polymer structure, the adhesive transitions from a time-dependent evaporation process to an instantaneous light-activated crosslinking process, eliminating VOC emissions and drying time delays
2Reliability
If traditional solvent or water-based adhesives are used, then bonding can be achieved, but VOC emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical composition by formulating an acrylic co-polymer with UV-reactive groups, replacing traditional solvent-based or water-based adhesive systems. This compositional parameter change eliminates volatile organic compounds from the formulation while maintaining effective bonding through photochemical crosslinking, thus removing harmful VOC emissions without sacrificing adhesive reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the evaporation and drying mechanisms of conventional adhesives with a photochemical curing system. The UV-curable acrylic co-polymer contains photoreactive groups that undergo crosslinking upon UV exposure, creating immediate and reliable bonds without generating VOC emissions associated with solvent evaporation
3Reliability
If conventional adhesives are used, then floor coverings can be bonded, but resistance to plasticizers and high temperatures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material design by creating an acrylic co-polymer that integrates multiple functional components: the acrylic polymer backbone provides base adhesive properties, while covalently bound UV-reactive groups (such as vinyl, allyl, or methacrylate groups) provide crosslinking capability. This composite structure delivers enhanced resistance to plasticizers and high temperatures through the formed crosslinked network, overcoming the limitations of conventional single-function adhesives
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters of the adhesive by incorporating UV-reactive functional groups into the acrylic co-polymer chain. This structural parameter change enables the formation of a crosslinked gel network upon UV curing, which provides superior thermal and chemical resistance compared to linear polymer structures in conventional adhesives, while the overall composition remains relatively simple
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 solution enables quick and efficient installation of floor coverings, reduces VOC emissions, and improves resistance to plasticizers and high temperatures compared to traditional adhesives.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the UV-curable hot melt adhesive on the reverse face of the floor covering to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of 250 nm to 260 nm to photoinitiate curing of the disposed UV-curable hot melt adhesive
Implementation Method 2
exposing the UV-curable hot melt adhesive on the reverse face of the floor covering to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of 250 nm to 260 nm
Data Source
AI summary
A floor covering includes a floor covering element having an obverse face and a reverse face; an adhesive layer applied to the reverse face; and a release liner in adherence to the adhesive layer; where the adhesive layer includes a UV-curable hot melt adhesive composition that includes a UV-curable acrylic co-polymer.