Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PRINTABLE RELEASE
Background of the Invention
This is a divisional of Canadian patent
application 2,177,847 filed January 20, 1995.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to printable release
compositions for pressure sensitive adhesive articles, such
as labels, and to articles containing such release
compositions.
Description of the Prior Art
Many types of adhesive articles are known, such as
labels, tapes, and note pads. Labels, in particular, are
used for business forms, files, advertising, and the like.
Labels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as window
labels, machine labels, integrated labels and the like.
Integrated labels are physically integrated, during
manufacture, with business forms, mailings and the like.
The type of adhesive best suited for use with a
particular article depends on the article's ultimate use.
The adhesive may be repositionable, permanent or removable.
For instance, it may be desirable for some applications to
permanently affix an article to an object, for example, a
label applied to a file folder. Such applications require a
permanent adhesive. A repositionable adhesive, on the other
hand, can be applied to an object, removed, and reapplied.
Pads of notes, for example, NoteStix or PostIt notes, are
examples of articles using repositionable adhesives.
CleanTac is an example of a label having a repositionable
adhesive. Finally, removable adhesives are appropriate when
the article is to be removed after use, but is generally not
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reusable. Removable adhesives may, however, also include
adhesives which become permanent over time.
Regardless of their use, adhesive articles must be
stored and readily available for use. Such articles may
utilize a separate disposable liner in juxtaposed face-to-
face contact with the adhesive substrate with a release
material coated on the side of the liner in contact with the
adhesive side of the adhesive substrate. Just prior to use,
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the liner is peeled away from the adhesive. Such an
adhesive article is often referred to as a "linered" label.
Alternatively, the adhesive article may be a substrate
coated on one side with a release material and boated on the
opposite side with an adhesive material. Such a linerless
label can be stored in pads or rolls.
The release coating facilitates either the removal of
the adhesive-coated substrate from the liner or the pad or
the unwinding the linerless label from the roll. The
release coating needs to have sufficient adhesion to keep,
for example, the linered label on its backing, or the
linerless label on a pad or in a roll, but must have
sufficient release properties to allow the label to be
removed from the backing or pad or to be unwound from the
roll, while maintaining its adhesive property.
For some time there have been problems in producing a
release coating that possesses the above properties and
that, additionally, contains printed matter. One problem
relates to retaining the tenacity of the printed matter on
the substrate so that the printed matter is not pulled off
by the adhesive or wiped off by contact occasioned by
someone rubbing against or applying the label. Another
problem is "fill-in" of letters such as "o", "a", "e", etc.
Fill-in occurs when the porosity of the substrate is not
sufficient to absorb the ink and the ink has a tendency to
feather out. Wipe-off and related problems may occur if the
porosity of the substrate is too low and the ink does not
dry sufficiently.
As an example of the above-mentioned problems, a
release coating may be used for the printing of Postnet
barcodes and FIM codes for automated mail processing.
Postnet (Numerical 8ncoding Technique) is used to encode the
ZIP code or ZIP+4 code on an envelope and is located in the
lower right portion of a mail piece. FIMs (Facing
Identification Marks) are used to identify Business Reply
Mail and are a series of vertical bars printed in the upper
middle portion of the mail piece just to the left of the
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postage indicia. flMs greatly facilitate the automated
processing of the mail; thus the quality and placement of
the barcodes is very critical to the success of automated
processing techniques. for instance, in a linerless label
application, the barge or bsrcodes are printed on the
release surface of a substrate. If feathering or wipe off
of the printed indicia occurs, then the information
contained in the respective barcodea cannot be scanned.
This may result i~ the lose of the cheaper bulk~mailing
rate. Standard postage for each piece must then be paid,
increasing the cost to the customer, and the mail must be
mechanically sorted, causing delay.
In the case of thermal transfer printing, not only is a
high surface energy preferred, but the surface must be very
smooth. Most thermal transfer substrates contain clay
coatings with relatively high surface energy and bending
properties to enhance ink transfer and anchorage. A release
coating imparts a lower surface energy to the face of the
label for better release characteristics; however, the
porosity of the label is reduced, making printing much more
difficult. Thus higher surface energy provides higher print
quality, whereas lower surface energy provides for better
release characteristics. Thus, there is a need for a
printable release'coating having both a good quality print
and good~release characteristics.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to printable release
compositions for use with pressure sensitive adhesive
articles, particularly labels. The release compositions
provide appropriate release properties for the different
adhesives: repositionable, permanent and removable.
The present invention is directed to a composition for
use as a release layer for a permanent adhesive comprising a
mixture of : .
(ay about 50 to about 95 parts by weight polyethylene;
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(b) about 5 to about 20 parts by weight silicone
emulsion: and
(c) a up to about 20 parts by taeight ethylene vinyl
chloride copolymer.
The present invention is also directed to a composition
for use as a release layer for a repositioaable adhesive
comprising a mixture oft
(a) a major amount of ethylene vinyl chloride
copolymer; and
., (bj a minor amount of n polyethylene emulsion.
In another embodiment, the present invention is
directed to a composition for use as a release layer for a
repositionable adhesive comprising:
(a) about 10 to about 80 parts by weight of a
surfactant;
and
(bj about 20 to about 90 parts by weight of an acrylic
golymsr.
In a further embodiment, the present invention is
directed to an article comprising a substrate, a thermal
transfer primer coating on the substrate, and a release
layer on the thermal transfer primer coating wherein the
thermal transfer primer coating comprises:
(aj about 20 to about 50 parts by w~ight of a latex;
and
(b) about 50 to about 00 parts by weight pigment.
Add3.tional advantages of the invention Will be set
forth in part in the description which follows, and in part
will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by
the practice of the invention. The advantages of the
invention may be realized and obtained by means of the
elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the
claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are.
exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of
the present invention as claimed.
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Detailed Description of tie Preferred Embodiments
The present invention is directed to an ink jet, video
jet, and the likes printable release composition for use
with pressure sensitive adhesives, such as labels and the
like. The invention is also directed to an article, such as
a label, that comprises a substrate such as paper,
optionally a thermal transfer primer coating coated onto the
substrate, and a release layer coated onto the thermal
transfer primer coating or onto the substrate. The label
nosy be either liaerless or linered. The p=intable release
composition of the present invention may be used with labels
having permanent, repositionable or removable adhesives.
The particular composition of the release layer depends on
the type of adhesive that is appropriate for the desired end
use.
In accordance with the preseat invention, as embodied
and broadly described herein, a composition is provided for
use as a release for ~ permanent adhesive. This composition
comprises a mixture of:
(a) about 50 to about 95 parts by weight polyethylene;
and
(b) about 5 to about 20 parts by weight silicon
emulsion.
Preferably, the polyethylene has a melting point of
100'C or~higher. The polyethylene is preferably an emulsion
and may be obtained from commercial sources such as MICxEM*
460, from Michelman, Inc., which is a polyethylene emulsion,
having a density of 8.3, a pE of 10.1, a melting point of
11A'C, and a hardness of 1.5. Other emulsions that can be
used include Michem 32535, 74040, 46025 and 6872 5, also
~rom Michelman, Inc. Preferably, the composition contains
about 80 to about 95 parts by weight polyethylene.
The silicon emul$ion preferably contains an organopoly-
s~iloxane, such as methylhydrogen polysiloxane, for example,
SYLOFf 1171* available from Dow Corning Corporation, or
dimethyl polysiloxane, for example, nPC-107" available from
*Trade-mark
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Rhone-Poulenc. Preferably, the composition contains about 5
parts by weight silicon emulsion.
The composition may further comprise up to about 20
parts by weight ethylene vinyl chloride copolymer. The
ethylene vinyl chloride copolymer blend away be, for exampl~,
vA~,COAT*';531 available from Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
The composition may also contain other additives which
do not adversely affect the desired properties bf the
release, such as pigments, thickeners, binders and
amphipathic materials.
Examples of pigments that can be included in the
thermal transfer primer coating composition include, for
example, B~1RGBS8 No. 28, available from Butgess Pigment, and
SUPERMITE*~/aoailable from BCC International. An 8vA'
thickener also may be used in the thermal transfer barrier
coating composition of.the invention, such as A=RFLEX* 1650,,
from Air Products. Examples of suitable binders that can be
included in the thermah transfer barrier coating composition'
include, for example, A=RF'LEX*~' 100 HS from Air Products
Corp., CARGILL*~ 643.'L from Cargill, RRISTALEX~; 3070 from
Hercules, RLICIiIiOLD~>68-010 from Reichhold Chemical, and UGAR* '
hATEX 376 from Union Carbide. Amphipathic materials that
can be included in the release composition inchide ALIPAL*'
CD-128 from GAIp Cosp. , FLURONIC*'L-101 from BASF Corp. ,
surfactant M-310 from Texaco, TEXAPHOR 963 from Henkel
Corp., and TRITON*~~GR5M from Union Carbide and amphipathic
surfactant AEROSOL*'22, C26$43NOlONa4'8' from American
Cyanamid Co. The amphipathic materials increase the release
and printing properties.
In accordance with the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a composition,is provided for use
as a release for a repositionable adhesive which comprises a
mixture of
(a) a major amount of ethylene vinyl chloride
copolymer; and
(b) a minor amount of a polyethylene emulsion.
*Trade-mark
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Polyethylene emulsions that can be used is the
invention include, but are not limited to, MIC88M 460,
'tICHB~! 32535 MICHHM 68725, MICHBM 74040 and MICHHM 46025.
Breferably, the composition contains about 60 to about 90
parts by weiqht ethylene vinyl chloride copolymer, and most
preferably about 7s parts by weight ethylene vinyl chloride
copolymer.
Bthylene vinyl chloride copolymers that can be used in
the invention include, but are not limited to, VAZCOAT 531.
Preferably, the compositioa contains about 10 to about 40
parts by e'sight polyethylene emulsion, and most preferably
about 25 parts_by weight polyethyleas emulsion. .
The composition can also contain other additives which
do not adversely affect the deeired properties of the
release, such se the pigments, thickeners, binders end
amphipathic materials dsscr3bed above.
In accordance with the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a release composition is provided
which comprisess
(a) about 10 to about 80 parts by wet weight of a
surfactantf and .
(b) about 20 to about 90 parts by wet weight of an
acrylic copolymer.
The surfactant may be selected from, for example,
sulfosuccinamate compounds, preferably tetrasodium. R-(1,2-
dicarbox~rethyl)-p-octadecy7, sulfosuccinamate. ether
surfactants include StJRFACT*'M-310 ( Texaco j , ALIPAL CD-12 8
(GAF Corpj and TRITON GR5M (Union Carbido'. A particular
sulfosuccinamats that may be used in the invention is
ABROSOL 22, available from American Cyanamid Co. The
release composition preferably contains about 20 to about 60
part8 by weight of a sn=factaat. The composition may also
contain calcium stearat~, in a MICHBI~t 170 emulsion.
The acrylic copolymer may be selected from, for
example, commercial formulations such as ACR7f90L ASB-60 from
Robin and Haas Co. Another source is ALCOGt~M* ~-31, from Alco
*Trade-mark
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Chemicals. The release composition preferably contains
about 40 to about.80 parts by weight of an acrylic
copolymer.
The release composition described above comprising a
surfactant and an acrylic polymer is particularly suited for
use as an ink-jet printable release. The release
composition works well with the ink-jet to accept ink due to
proper porosity and release. The ink is partially absorbed
into the substrate so that it dries quickly and does not
feather. Water based ink-jet, such as VideoJet, produces
better print quality and drying times with formulas
consisting of at least 50 parts of acrylic polymer. Better
print quality and drying time for oil based ink-jet, such as
Trident, require at least 60 parts of the acrylic polymer.
The release suited for use as an ink-jet printable
release may also contain about 10 to about 20 parts by
weight calcium stearate emulsion such as MICgEM.170 by
Michelman, Inc. for enhanced edge definition.
The ink-jet printable release may be coated on
substrates, preferably 20# or 24~ standard paper, such as
24# Union Camp Alkaline. The ink-jet release compositions
are preferably coated at 0.37 - 1.8 gsm using a meyer rod,
dahlgren, reverse roll, direct gravure, reverse gravure,
direct and offset flexo. The release layer is printable
with flexo, litho, gravure and dot matrix and laser.
Any of the release compositions described above may be
coated on a substrate such as paper to obtain an article,
preferably a label. The article may be prepared by coating
the release composition onto at least a portion of one side
of the substrate. A layer of a thermal transfer primer
coating may be juxtaposed between the substrate and the
release layer. , . _
The article may contain a permanent or repositionable
adhesive depending on its intended use. The release layer
composition should be selected accordingly. The adhesive is
applied either on the side of the substrate opposite the
release layer, e.g., a linerless label, or on at least a
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portion of oae side of a different substrate, wherein the
adhesive layer is in juxtaposed contact with the release
layer, e.g., a linered label.
Improved image quality may be obtained on plain paper
(e. g., Finch Fins 24~ stock) if the paper has been pre-
coated with a thermial transfer primer coating. A thermal
transfer primer coating provides for a smoother~contact
surface between the pap~r sad the printhead. It also acts
as an insulating layer or barrier by keeping the.heat
generated during the priating operation from penetrating
into the paper. Printing ribboas have a wax coating which
melts to release the ink. By keeping the heat on the
surfac~, the ink is forced to print on the release surface,
improving the print quality and producing a superior image.
The thermal transfer primer coating also functions to bind
the release coating to the substrate, enhancing the scratch
and scuff resistance of'the release. .
Instead of a thermal transfer primer coating, a barrier
coating may be provided between the substrate and the
rel~ase, which may be, for example, vinyl acetate/ethylene
copolymers such as AIRFh88 1650 by Air products.
In accordanc~ with th~ invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, an article is provided comprising
a substrate, a thermal traasfer primer coating coated on the
substrate, and a release layer coated on the thermal
transfer primer coating. The thermal taansfer primer
coating comprises:
(a) about 20 to about 50 parts by weight of a latex;
and
(b) about 50 to about 80 parts by weight pigment:
The pigns~nt may be selected from, for example, ROpAQvB*
89, by Rohm and Haas Co. The pigment preferably has a small
particle size to obftein a smooth coating. Preferably, the
thermal transfer primer coating includes about 80 parts by
weight of pigment.
The latex may be, for example, commercial formulations
such as r~ATEx*; ~620.by Dow Chemical. Preferably, -the thermal
*Trade-anark ',
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transfer primer coating includes about ZO parts by weight of
a latex.
The substrates usable in the invention are preferably
X24 or X20 paper. Commercial paper may be used such as 20~
Finch Fine, Consolidated, and other types of thermal
transfer sheets commercially available. Other substrates
include films, TYVEK, polyester, and the Like. The coating
weight of the thermal transfer primer coating is preferably
2.5 to 4.0 gsm, and more preferably 2.8 gsm to 3.8 gsm. The
coating weight of the release composition is preferably 5.0
gsm to 8.0 gsm, and more preferably 5.6 gsm to 7.5 gsm.
The substrate is'precoated with the thermal transfer
primer coating, if desired, then a release composition is
prepared and coated on the thermal transfer primer coating,
or on the substrate if no thermal transfer primer coating is
present, using a coater, such as a Meyer Rod coater. The
coater can use a dahlgren, flexo, gravure blade or roll to
roll. Preferably, a No. 28 meyer rod is used. A meyer rod
is a coating rod or bar having different size diameters that
can be selected for applying different amounts of coatings.
The release composition described above comprising a
surfactant and an acrylic polymer is particularly suited for
use as an ink-jet printable release.
Water based ink-jet, such as VideoJet, produces better
print quality and dry times with formulas consisting of at
least 50 parts of acrylic polymer. Better print quality and
dry time for oil based ink-jet, such as Trident, require at
least 60 parts of the acrylic polymer.
The ink-jet printable release may also contain 10 to 20
parts calcium stearate emulsion such as MICHEM 170 by
Michelman, Inc, for enhanced edge definition.
The ink-jet printable release is coated on substrates,
preferably 20~ or 24~ standard paper, such as 24~ union Camp
Alkaline.
The ink-jet release compositions are preferably coated
at 0.37 - 1.8 gsm using a meyer rod, dahlgren, reverse roll,
direct gravure, reverse gravure, direct and offset flexo.
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The release layer is printable with flexo, litho, gravure
and dot matrix.
The following examples are illustrative, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Examples Z and 2 are directed to release compositions
for use with repositionable adhesives.
EXAMPLE 1
A substrate was prepared by precoating with a thermal
transfer primer coating.
Substrate: 24# Finch Fine Paper
Thermal transfer primer coating : 80 parts ROPAQUE 84
20 parts LATEX 620
Coat weight of
2.82 gsm
A release composition was prepared and coated on the
thermal transfer primer coating of the substrate using a
Meyer Rod coater with a No. 28 meyer rod.
Release: 50 parts AEROSOL 22 Surfactant
50 parts ACRYSOL ASE 60
Coat weight of 5.64 gsm
Two week accelerated aging (A.A) delamination values
were in~the I.0 - 2.0 oz/in range. AA was performed under
heated conditions of 120°F.
EXAMPLE 2
Substrate: 24# Consolidated Thermal Transfer Paper
A release composition was prepared and coated on the
substrate.
Release: 30 parts AEROSOL 22
70 parts ACRYSOL ASE-60
Coat weight 6.76 gsm
Two week AA delamination values were in the I.0 - 2.0
oz/in range.
In examples 3-5, trials were conducted using the Meyer
Rod coater to produce a permanent printable release for use
with a permanent adhesive.
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EXAMPLE 3
A substrate was prepared by precoating with a thermal
transfer primer coating.
Substrate: 24# Finch Fine paper
Thermal transfer primer coating: 80 parts ROPAQUE 84
20 parts LAT$X 620
coat weight 3.76 gsm
A release composition was prepared and coated on the
thermal transfer primer coating.
Release: 75 parts - Polyethylene, MICEEM 460
Z5 parts - Ethylene Vinyl Chloride,
vALCOAT 531
parts - Silicone Emulsion, PCL 107
coat weight 7.5 gsm
EXAMPLE 4
A substrate was prepared by precoating with a thermal
transfer primer coating.
Substrate: 24~ Finch Fine paper
Thermal transfer primer coating: 80 parts ROPAQUE 84
parts LATEX 620
coat weight 2.82 -
3.76 gsm
A release composition was prepared and coated on the
thermal transfer primer coating.
Release: 80 parts Polyethylene, (MICHEM 460)
10 parts VALCOAT 531
10 parts PCZ 107
coat weight 5.65 - 7.5 gsm
EXAMPLE 5
A substrate was prepared by precoating with a barrier
coating.
Substrate: 24~ Finch Fine paper
Barrier: Vinyl Acetate/Ethylene Copolymer,
AIRFIrEX 1650
coat weight 2.8 - 6.5 gsm
A release composition was prepared and coated on the
barrier coating.
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Release: 90 parts Polyethylene MICHEM 460
parts SYLOFF 1171
coat weight 5.6 - 7.5 gsm
None of the materials alone meets all the requirements
for a good printable release. However, proper blends offer
acceptable print and release.
In examples 6-8, trials were conducted using dahlgren
to produce an ink-jet printable release. After a 2 week
accelerated aging test at 120°F, delamination values of less
than 2.7 oz/in were obtained.
EXAMPLE 6 ~ '
A substrate was coated with a release composition.
Substrate: 24# Union Camp Alkaline
Release: 50 parts AEROSOL 22
50 parts ASE-60
coat weight 1.5 gsm
EXAMPLE 7
' A substrate was coated with a release composition.
Substrate: 24~ Union Camp Alkaline
Release: 20 parts AEROSOL 22
80 parts ASE-60
coat weight 1.3 gsm
EXAMPLE 8
A substrate was coated with a release composition.
Substrate 24~ Union Camp Alkaline
Release: l8~pa.rts AEROSOL 22
72 parts ASS-60
10 parts MICHBM 170
coat weight 1.3 gsm
Examples 6-8 exhibited good drying time, good dot
uniformity and contrast and a good print contrast ratio
greater than 75.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made in the
compositions and methods of the present invention without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the
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modifications and'variations of this invention provided they
come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
