Abstract:
Fluid activatable adhesive compositions and activating fluid(s) for activating the adhesive composition are described herein. The adhesive compositions contain at least two polymers with different hydrophilicities. The hydrophilic polymer has quick tack when exposed to a hydrophilic solvent, such as water or other aqueous solvent, while the hydrophobic polymer provides strong adhesion to a paper or polymeric substrate. The adhesive composition may contain particulate fillers which enable fast exhaustion of the activation fluid out of the adhesive when applied to a substrate, thereby allowing the hydrophobic polymers of the adhesive composition to achieve strong adhesion of the liner-free label to the paper or polymeric substrate. The particulate fillers may also function as anti-blocking agents when liner-free label media are tightly wound in a roll. The adhesive compositions described herein may be used not only on paper, cardboard, and metal, but also on glass and plastics commonly used in commercial applications.
Abstract:
A label applicator pad is included in a labeling system to press a label against the surface of an article. According to some aspects, a label applicator pad includes a pad body having a support portion and a contact portion having a textured working surface. The support may have a compliance that is higher than a compliance of the contact portion. According to other aspects, the textured working surface may have a contact area that physically contacts a label and a void portion adjacent the contact portion, and the void portion does not contact the label. The textured working area may include contact portion having a contact area that is less than a total area of the working area.
Abstract:
A fluid activatable adhesive for a liner-free label and methods of using are described. Preferably, the adhesive composition includes a polymer, such as an emulsion polymer formed from monomers selected from the group consisting of butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), a salt of AMPS, such as its sodium salt, styrene, and combinations thereof. The adhesive composition adheres to the liner-free label to the surface of a substrate that is at room temperature, at room temperature and wet, cold, or cold and wet. In preferred embodiments, the substrate is glass or plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate.
Abstract:
A reusable, liner-free attachment system is described herein. The attachment system is compatible with the surfaces of a variety of materials, regardless of composition or physical characteristics. The system contains an anchoring site and a detachable article that binds specifically to the anchoring site. When bound together, the system provides anisotropic resistance to applied forces. The system is highly resistant to shear stress, but is easily detached by applying a pull-off force. The article typically contains a part A coating on the side or portion of the article that attaches to the anchoring site. The system can be used with a variety of articles, such as hooks, carpet tiles, medical devices, such as blood pressure cuff; climbing equipment, such as gloves, shoes or handles.
Abstract:
Thin film labels, systems, and methods of making and using thereof are described. The thin film systems contain a label and a carrier film, where the label contains an overprint layer, indicia, and an adhesive layer. The carrier film may be coated on one or both sides with a release liner. The adhesive layer can be any suitable adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a fluid activatable adhesive, a heat activated adhesive, or a contact activated adhesive. The label is formed by printed or coating one or more layers of precursor material on the carrier film using standard printers. Suitable precursor materials include, but are not limited to epoxys, solvent cast films, polyurethane dispersions, such as acrylic-urethane hybrid polymer dispersions and polyester-polyurethane dispersions. After the overprint layer dries or is cured, the indicia are printed onto the overprint layer, then the adhesive is coated on top of the indicia.
Abstract:
A reusable, liner-free labeling system, which allows labels to be wound without the use of a release liner, is described herein. The absence of a liner reduces inventory requirements, roll-changeover time, cost of production, and waste. Additionally, the labeling system described herein provides labels that remove cleanly, which reduces the time required to remove the label and eliminates the necessity of cleaning the substrate after removal. The labeling system provides labels that can be easily reused and reapplied, which can reduce time and costs associated with user labeling error. The labeling system is compatible with labels of all currently available facesheets, regardless of composition or physical characteristics, and allows for large quantity batch printing. The implementation of the labeling system does not require any changes to the pre-existing label printing infrastructure.
Abstract:
Resealable systems for consumer packaging, such as food packaging, are described herein. The system includes one or more anchor points and one or more cling coatings. The anchor points can be introduced into or onto the packaging material during manufacture, such as by co-extrusion. Alternatively, the anchor points can be affixed to the packaging material after manufacture, such as with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The cling coatings can be applied to the packaging material during or after manufacture. For example, the cling coatings can be spot coated or pattern coated onto the desired location. The cling coatings are selective, that is they do not attach to themselves but only attach to the anchor point. The cling coatings transfer little or no material over time resulting in more consistent performance over time than pressure sensitive adhesives.
Abstract:
Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate) substrates, are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols.
Abstract:
Fluid activatable, multilayer adhesive compositions for use with liner-free labels, and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The compositions contain a functional layer, such as an adhesive layer, which is applied to the label and a barrier layer which is applied on top of the adhesive layer. The multilayer composition prevents the adhesive layer on the label from interacting with the face of an adjacent label, particularly when the labels are stored as coils or folded stacks.
Abstract:
Fluid activatable adhesive compositions and activating fluid(s) for activating the adhesive composition are described herein. The adhesive compositions contain at least two polymers with different hydrophilicities. The hydrophilic polymer has quick tack when exposed to a hydrophilic solvent, such as water or other aqueous solvent, while the hydrophobic polymer provides strong adhesion to a paper or polymeric substrate. The adhesive composition may contain particulate fillers which enable fast exhaustion of the activation fluid out of the adhesive when applied to a substrate, thereby allowing the hydrophobic polymers of the adhesive composition to achieve strong adhesion of the liner-free label to the paper or polymeric substrate. The particulate fillers may also function as anti-blocking agents when liner-free label media are tightly wound in a roll. The adhesive compositions described herein may be used not only on paper, cardboard, and metal, but also on glass and plastics commonly used in commercial applications.