Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-22
2001-10-02
Gallagher, John J. (Department: 1733)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
C156S331600, C206S582000, C524S292000, C524S360000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296730
ABSTRACT:
The present invention is directed toward an adhesive and coating composition which is suitable for use in an aqueous environment and which comprises a resin and plasticizer modified acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomer, dissolved in low toxicity solvents. The present invention is also directed to a method for repairing plastic sheet materials, particularly plastic sheet materials such as polyethylene (LDPE or MDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyvinylidene di-chloride (PVDC), using the adhesive and coating composition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Repairing plastic surface or sheet materials using adhesive tapes, patches and coatings are well known in the art. However, such known adhesive tapes etc. are often unsuitable for underwater application, and typically do not have sufficient resistence to an aqueous environment to provide adhesion for extended periods of time. Furthermore, when applying such adhesive tapes etc. to the region or site of repair it is often necessary to evacuate the aqueous environment until the repair process has been completed. This is both time consuming and wasteful.
There is currently a known adhesive tape which is made from a thin (about {fraction (1/1000)} th of an inch thick) polyvinylfluoride film having the trade name, TEDLAR™ (a product of Du Pont). The tape has an adhesive composition on one side made from a resin-plasticizer modified acrylonitrile-butadiene co-polymer. The adhesive composition used on this tape is a low tack, toluene-based, adhesive, having a slow drying time. This makes it less desirable for underwater application. The adhesive composition used is also extremely toxic and discolors or yellows with time, making it aesthetically displeasing. As with all adhesive tapes, the size of the patch is limited to the size of the tape. This places a limitation on repairs of different dimensions.
It has been found that an adhesive composition according to the present invention comprising a resin and plasticizer modified acrylonitrile-butadiene co-polymer, in liquid form, when applied to a patch material and allowed to dry in air for approximately 5-8 minutes prior to being pressed onto the site of repair, provides a superior means of repairing plastic sheet materials, particularly in an aqueous or underwater environment. Such an adhesive may also be applied directly to the surface of the plastic sheet material, at the repair region or site, as a coating.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adhesive or coating composition, hereinafter referred to as “an adhesive composition”, which overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned shortcomings of known adhesives and which provides a more aggressive and/or longer lasting adherence of a material patch compared to the known adhesive tape and/or provides an adhesive which is especially suited for underwater application. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an adhesive composition, in liquid form, which can be applied to a variety of material patches, for compatibly repairing various plastic sheet materials in an aqueous environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an adhesive composition is provided especially for use in underwater applications, which composition comprises a resin and plasticizer modified acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomer and low toxicity solvents, wherein the adhesive composition is in liquid form.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a kit for repairing plastic sheet materials is provided, which comprises an adhesive composition, in liquid form, and a material patch. The adhesive composition comprises a resin-plasticizer modified acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomer and a low toxicity solvent and is especially suited for underwater applications.
As a third aspect of the present invention, a method for repairing plastic sheet materials is provided, which method is especially suited for underwater applications and comprises applying an adhesive composition, in a liquid form, to a material patch; allowing the adhesive composition to dry for between approximately 5 to 8 minutes or until it is tacky to touch; placing the material patch with the applied adhesive over the region of the plastic sheet material being repaired; and applying pressure to the material patch so as to adhere the material patch onto the region being repaired.
In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for preparing a solvent based adhesive is provided which method comprises dissolving an acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomer in low toxicity solvents, to produce a solution; adding a resin and a plasticizer to the solution and subsequently blending the solution so as to produce a resin-plasticizer modified acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomer adhesive composition, in a liquid form, especially suited for underwater applications.
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Fahrer Leonard
Williams John H.
Gallagher John J.
Jacobson & Holman PLLC
Union Laboratories, Inc.
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