Water-Activated Linerless Adhesive Articles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional adhesive articles rely on silicone-containing and fluorine-containing release liners, which are not recyclable and can contaminate substrates, leading to environmental issues and adhesion problems.

Innovation Solution

Water-activated adhesive articles with an amorphous polyvinyl alcohol protective layer that becomes tacky upon contact with a polar solvent, allowing for temporary bonding and subsequent exposure of the adhesive layer for strong bonding without the need for release liners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If silicone-containing and fluorine-containing release liners are used to protect the adhesive layer, then the adhesive layer is protected from contamination, but the release liners are not recyclable and cause environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the release liner by using starch-based materials instead of silicone and fluorine-containing materials. This parameter change maintains the protective function while eliminating environmental pollution, as starch is biodegradable and recyclable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable starch-based release liner that is inexpensive and biodegradable. Although it is discarded after use, its environmental impact is minimal due to its natural degradability, contrasting with persistent silicone and fluorine materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If silicone-containing and fluorine-containing materials are used as release agents, then the release liner separates easily from the adhesive layer, but material transfer to the substrate interferes with adhesion and causes printing problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation easeVSAvoidadhesion quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The starch-based release liner acts as an intermediary between the adhesive layer and the external environment. It provides easy separation while preventing silicone and fluorine material transfer to the substrate, thereby maintaining adhesion quality and printing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the surface chemistry parameters of the release liner by using starch-based materials with different adhesive properties. This allows easy separation without material transfer, resolving the conflict between separation ease and adhesion quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a release liner is used to protect the adhesive layer, then contamination is prevented, but the release liner must be discarded in landfills

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidlandfill waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a starch-based release liner that can be composted or biodegraded instead of being discarded in landfills. This allows the protective function to be fulfilled while enabling recovery or natural decomposition of the material, reducing landfill waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The starch-based release liner is designed as a disposable, biodegradable material that protects the adhesive during use and then decomposes naturally, eliminating the need for landfill disposal and reducing substance loss to waste.

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

This solution enables recyclable, environmentally friendly adhesive articles that prevent substrate contamination and ensure strong, durable bonds while allowing for repositioning and handling before final adhesion.

Implementation Method 1

Contacting a solvent to the amorphous polyvinyl alcohol results in the covered portion of the adhesive layer being at least partially exposed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The amorphous polyvinyl alcohol is in a dry form and is non-tacky, and protects the covered portion of the adhesive layer. Contacting a solvent to the amorphous polyvinyl alcohol results in the covered portion of the adhesive layer being at least partially exposed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3240848B1Water-activated linerless adhesive articles and related methods

Publication Date: 2023.01.18 AVERY DENNISON CORP

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4

AI summary

Water-activatable, linerless adhesive articles and related methods are described. The adhesive articles utilize a dry, non-tacky protective layer for protecting the adhesive layer from contamination and therefore do not require a release liner. The protective layer includes at least one of amorphous polyvinyl alcohol and poly(ethylene oxide). The adhesive articles are bonded to a substrate by applying a polar solvent, such as water, to the protective layer, which mix to form a tacky material. The tacky material forms a weak, temporary bond with the substrate and allows the adhesive articles to be repositioned on the substrate. The tacky material gradually pools together at the substrate/adhesive article interface to expose the underlying adhesive layer. The exposed adhesive layer then forms a permanent bond with the substrate.