CA1149109A - Composition for releasing adhesives from a surface - Google Patents

Composition for releasing adhesives from a surface

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Publication number
CA1149109A
CA1149109A CA000365058A CA365058A CA1149109A CA 1149109 A CA1149109 A CA 1149109A CA 000365058 A CA000365058 A CA 000365058A CA 365058 A CA365058 A CA 365058A CA 1149109 A CA1149109 A CA 1149109A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
solvent
adhesive
carrier
composition according
xylene
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000365058A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gregg A. Motsenbocker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lift-Off Inc
Original Assignee
Lift-Off Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lift-Off Inc filed Critical Lift-Off Inc
Priority to CA000365058A priority Critical patent/CA1149109A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1149109A publication Critical patent/CA1149109A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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  • Adhesives Or Adhesive Processes (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention is a liquid composition for releasing adhesive from a surface, comprising: a liquid first solvent having the inherent capacity to soften or dissolve said adhesive, said first solvent being selected from the group consisting of xylene, benzene, toluene, cyclohexanone, and mixtures of two or more thereof, a second solvent selected for an inherent capacity to soften or to dissolve said adhesive, and a lower flammability than said first solvent, said second solvent being selected from the group consisting of tri-chloroethylene, perchloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane and mixtures of two or more thereof, and a liquid carrier having a lesser inherent volatility than said first solvent, whereby to render to volatility of the composition less than that of the first solvent, and the capacity to keep the adhesive softened even after some of said first solvent has evaporated, said carrier being a liquid petroleum distillate in the boiling range between about that of naphtha through about that of diesel fuel, and present in proportion sufficient to accomplish said reduction of volatility and capacity to keep said adhesive softened after evaporation of said first solvent, both of said solvents being present in sufficient quantity to contribute to the softening of said adhesive, and in such total proportion relative to said carrier that said adhesive is softened by them.
Among other uses it enables pressure sensitive labels to be lifted cleanly and expeditiously from a surface.

Description

This invention relates to conrpositions for releasing adhesives from a surface, especially for releasing pressure-sensitive labels from surfaces such as food packages.
It is frequently *equired to release adhesives from surfaces of objects without damaging the surface or the object. This is difficult to do, because the adhesive was designed to adhere very intimately to the surface or object. To remove the layer of adhesive immediately contiguous to the surface or object by mechanical means such as by scraping with a knife or spatula in-volves a considerable risk of scratching, and is rarely completely successful anyway. The use of abrasive compounds tends to dull or scratch the finish. It also is less than suitable.
Various solvents have been proposed for this purpose. However, known solvents and mixtures of solvents which are sufficiently effective to remove the adhesive by dissolving it generally are so strong that they can damage the surface, and so volatile that their effects are so short-lived that their use is troublesome.
Similarly, the removal of adhesive-backed labels from objects such as food packages is very difficult. In order to frustrate cheaters who would - remove or alter the labels, they often are laid down in several separate adja-cent segments. Attempts to remove such labels neatly by mechanical means are generally unsuccessful. The gum and the paper layers merely roll up or spread out, while still clinging to the surface. They make a mess.
There are solvents such as acetone, lighter fluid, or nail polish ; remover, which can be used to soften the adhesive -mder labels so the label can be scraped or peeled from a surface. Many of them are very flammable, and this is objectionable for many uses.
; In addition, strongor active solvents can have an adverse effect on g printing ink on labels or wrappings. ~hey can and frequently do smear the printing, and can render a package unsuitable for sale.
Another prohlem with the use of strongor active solvents is that they must be left in contact with the adhesive or the label for a substantial period of time in order suitably to soften or dissolve the adhesive. They evaporate rapidly and do not provide sustained effects for extended periods of time.
This requires the user to act quickly, or to repeat the process.
In; times of rapidly rising food prices, labels on cans, boxes~ foil and cellophane containers must frequently be removed in order that a new label with a new price can be applied. Because labor is costly, this work must be done quickIy and efficiently, anci the surace which remains should not require further treatment in order to accept a new label.
It is an object of this invention to provide compositions which act rapidly to release adhesives from surfaces so they and whatever they back, such as a label, can easily and quickly be removed from a surface or object wi-thout damage to the surface or deterioration of printed material.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a composition which is quick-acting on labels, so that very soon after application to a label, the label is penetrated, the adhesive softened, and the label with the adhesive can be lifted cleanly with a blade, leaving behind a surface which does not re-quire wiping or further treatment to be clean enough for sale, and for the reception of another gummed label. It is useful to remember that adhesivesfor labels are applied under optimal conditions, and are selected and applied so as to be quite adherent to the label itself. Therefore softening of the adhe-- sive will preferentially release it from the surEace, and it will accompany the label~ when a composition according to this invention is used.
In accordance with this invention, a liquid composition is made up ~9~
with a plurality of ingredients which exert mutually synergistic effects on adhesives and adhesive-backed labels. The ingredients include a first aolvent, often having a high inherent volatility, that i5 selected for its property of being a good solvent for adhesives, and a carrier. The carrier is selected for a lower inherent volatility, so that the flammability of the total mixture is significantly reduced, for its "staying" power to remain without evaporation for a considerable time, and for its ability to dissolve the adhesive, or to hold in solution or suspension that which has been softened or dissolved by the first solvent. Advantageously, a second solvent can also be used. Preferably the first solvent is an aromatic, and the second solvent is a halogenated hydro-carbon solvent.
According to features of the invention, other components can variously be added to mask odors, to clean the surface, and to emulsify the composi.tion if water is used as the carrier.
According to the present invention there is provided a composition for releasing adhesive from a surface, comprising: a liquid first solvent having the inherent capaci-ty to soften or dissolve said adhesive, said first solvent being selected from the group consisting of xylene, benzene, toluene, cyclohexanone, and mixtures of two or more thereof, a second solvent selected for an inherent capacity to soften or to dissolve said adhesive, and a lower flammability than said first solvent, said second solvent being selected from the group consisting of trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene and 1-1-1 tri-chloroethane and mixtures of two or more thereof, and a liquid carrier having a lesser inherent volatility than said first solvent, whereby to render to volatility of the composition less than that of the first solvent, and the capacity to keep the adhesive softened even after some of said first solvent has evaporated, said carrier being a liquid petroleum distillate in the boiling range between about that of naphtha through about that of diesel fuel, and ~, present in proportion sufficient to accomplish said reduction of volatility and cayacity to keep said adhesive softened after evaporation of said first solvent, both of said solvents being present in sufficient quantity to contribute to the softening of said adhesive, and in such total proportion relative to said carrier that said adhesive is softened by them.
Compositions according to this invention include a first solvent for softening or dissolving adhesives, and a carrier. The first solvent should have good solvency for adhesives, but it may be quite volatile per se. The carrier should have a lesser inherent volatility to reduce the volatility of the system.
The presently preferred first solvent is xylene. Xylene is an excel-lent solvent for adhesives, is moderate in cost, and has a relatively low volatility compared to most other suitable effective solvents. The first sol-vent is preferably cyclohexanone or an aromatic compound. Other suitable aromatics can be substituted for xylene, in whole or in part. Examples of other suitable aromatic compounds are benzene and toluene. The latter will usually be avoided in solutions which are to be used on printed surfaces because it can attack inks. Mixtures of some or all of these can also be used.
The first solvent is supplemented with a second solvent. Such a ~ 20 second solvent should be selected :Eor -the same purposes as the first solvent, - namely primarily for effectiveness in softening or dissolving adhesives, and to - the extent possible for volatility and low flammability. Halogenated hydro-carbon solvents are excellent for this purpose, because in general they are not flammable. Suitable halogenated hydrocarbons tend to be somewhat more expensive than suitable aro~natics. The presently preferred second solvent is trichloro-ethylene. Other suitable compounds are perchloroethylene and l,l~l-trichloro-ethane (methylchloroform). Mixtures of some or ail of these can be used.
The carrier or carriers will be selected for effectiveness as solvent (which will ordinarily be less than that of the first and second solvents), and ~9~9 definitely for lower inherent volatility and lower flammability. The carrier should have adequate dlssolving power of its ownJ or with the solvent or sol-vents, to keep the softened or suspended adhesive in solution or suspension even after much of the solvent or solvents has evaporated. Thus, the carrier gives the composition a "staying" power - it remains effective long enough for the user to apply the composition to a large number of labels, to let them "soak" for a short time, and then to go straight through them, lifting the labels, without concern that the composition would have evaporated and left the adhesive adherent again.
Petroleum distillates are excellent for the carrier, especially ;!' kerosene. Ilowever, petroleum distillates in boiling ranges from naphtha to and even including diesel fuel can function with varying degrees of effectiveness.
Naphtha appears to be next preferred to kerosene. ~lso, when the compositions are to be emulsified, water can be used as a carrier.
The presently preferred non-water based formulation is as follows:

Preferred percentageRange of Suitable Percentages xylene 20 5 to 50 trichloroethylene 35 0 to 80 kerosene 39-1/4 10 to 95 light mineral oil 5 0 to 10 lemon oil ~as required) 3/4 0 to 5 Percentages as used throughout this specification are by volume. As can be seen, tricholorethylene can be eliminated entirely, or substituted in part for xylene. Some or no mineral oil, and some or no lemon oil may be used.
Surfactants can be added in small amountsif desired.

Mineral oil can be added in small amounts. It serves surprisingly well to render l-emoved, undissolved adhesives non-sticking so they can readily be wiped off. It also tends to leave a smooth clean surface after removal of adhesives to which surface a new label will readily adhere.
Surfactants can be provided to assist in the cleaning of the surface and to aid in suspension and emulsification. Suitable examples are TritonX-100 ~L ,~
and TritonX-114, sold by Rohm ~ Haas, Sorbitan esters, or nonyl phenoxy poly-ethoxy ethanol.
If desired, coupling agents can also be added. An example is butylcellosolve, but it has the unfortunate capacity to attack printing inks.
Generally speaking, it is frequently as well merely to shake the container before use, and to eliminate the coupling agent.
Suitable water-based formulations contain a first solvent, and may contain a second solvent. The carrier is water, but may include some petroleum distillate, especially naphtha or kerosene. A surfactant will ordinarily be used in minor amolmts, and a coupling agent such as butylcellosolve can also be used.
The presently preferred water-based formulation is as follows:
i.`
Preferred Range of Suitable Percentages Percentages xylene 15 5 to 30 trichloroethylene 0 Q to 30 Xerosene 50 0 to 70 water 27 20 to 55 surfactants 6 2 to 15 butylcellosolve 2 0 to 2 In both the water based and the non-water based formulations, the specific substances preferred for use are given. In all cases, the substitu-'J~

.

-:

tions discussed herein can be made (such as naphtha for kerosene), and the disclosure of the various specific substances is intended as a disclosure of the group of substances forming that class, and of the class itself.
The above formulations, and especially the two disclosed preferred formulations, quickly attack adhesive-backed labels and enable them to be lifted or scraped from a surface, leaving behind a clean surface receptive to a new label. They are safe and expedient to handle, and are modest in cost.
The terms "adhesive" and "pressure sensitive adhesive" are meant to - include all adhesives which are conventionally used to apply labels, tapes~
webs, sheets, or other materials to surfaces by means of applied pressureO
Typical water soluble glues and pastes are not of interest to this invention.
Typical adhesives of concern are water soluble and solvent-soluble systems, often but not exclusively based on acrylics, latexes, or synthetic rubbers.
The formulations disclosed work very well on these.
The utility of this invention is not limited to the release of labels or other materials. It can be used to clean a surface of adhesives. Also, the material itself need not be penetrable by the composition. Instead it is quite possible to use it while peeling the material, by applying it at the -- edge.
The te~ls "softening" and "dissolving" are used in their broadest sense. The adhesives of concern need not go into a clear solution in order to be released. The interaction of this composition with it tends to make it somewhat softer, and sufficiently less adherent, ~hat the label~ strip, or othermaterial readily comes loose, generally with the layer of adhesive still on it. For this reason, the term "release" is used to describe the operation o the composition.
The term "adhesive" is not limited to pressure-sensitive materials .
`: .

~9~
applied to labels, although that is expected to be the area o~ greatest utility of this invention. Conventional gum types are also worked on advanta-geously. In addition, chewing gum, and similar sticky substances, are readily attacked, especially by the water-based formulations. The water-based formu-lations readily remove chewing gum from the hair, and From :Floor and furniture.
Chewing gum and other adhesives as mentioned, are included in the term "adhesive"
as used in this specification and in the claims~ and the term "surface" in-cludes any body or surface to which the adhesive adhered - packages, furniture, hair, and ~he like.
This invention is not to be limited by the described embodiments, which are given by way of example and not of limitation, but only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (13)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A composition for releasing adhesive from a surface, comprising: a liquid first solvent having the inherent capacity to soften or dissolve said adhesive, said first solvent being selected from the group consisting of xylene, benzene, toluene, cyclohexanone, and mixtures of two or more thereof, a second solvent selected for an inherent capacity to soften or to dissolve said adhesive, and a lower flammability than said first solvent, said second solvent being selected from the group consisting of trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, and l,1,1-trichloroethane and mixtures of two or more thereof, and a liquid carrier having a lesser inherent volatility than said first solvent, whereby to render to volatility of the composition less than that of the first solvent, and the capacity to keep the adhesive softened even after some of said first solvent has evaporated, said carrier being a liquid petroleum distillate in the boiling range between about that of naphtha through about that of diesel fuel, and present in proportion sufficient to accomplish said reduction of volatility and capacity to keep said adhesive softened after evaporation of said first solvent, both of said solvents being present in sufficient quantity to contribute to the softening of said adhesive, and in such total proportion relative to said carrier that said adhesive is softened by them.
2. A composition according to claim 1 in which said first solvent is xylene.
3. A composition according to claim 1 in which said second solvent is a mixture of perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene.
4. A composition according to claim 1 in which said carrier is kerosene.
5. A composition according to claim 3 in which said first solvent is xylene, and said carrier is kerosene.
6. A composition according to claim 5 in which about 3/4% of lemon perfume is substituted for an equal percentage of kerosene.
7. A composition according to claim 1 in which said first solvent con-stitutes about 20%, said second solvent about 35%, and said carrier about 40%, all by weight of the named ingredients.
8. A composition according to claim 1 in which said composition further includes mineral oil to render removed adhesives non-sticking, and to leave a clean surface after removal of adhesive to which a new adhesive will readily adhere.
9. A composition according to claim 8 in which said mineral oil is present as about 5% by weight of the named ingredients.
10. A composition according to claim 9 in which said first solvent con-stitutes about 20%, said second solvent about 35%, and said carrier about 40%, all by weight of the named ingredients.
11. A composition according to claim 10 in which said first solvent is xylene, said second solvent is trichloroethylene, and said carrier is kerosene.
12. A composition according to claim 10 in which said first solvent is xylene, said second solvent is a mixture of l-l-l-trichloroethylene and per-chloroethylene, and said carrier is kerosene.
13. A composition according to claim 1,in which said first solvent is xylene, and said second solvent is trichloroethylene.
CA000365058A 1980-11-19 1980-11-19 Composition for releasing adhesives from a surface Expired CA1149109A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000365058A CA1149109A (en) 1980-11-19 1980-11-19 Composition for releasing adhesives from a surface

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000365058A CA1149109A (en) 1980-11-19 1980-11-19 Composition for releasing adhesives from a surface

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1149109A true CA1149109A (en) 1983-07-05

Family

ID=4118503

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000365058A Expired CA1149109A (en) 1980-11-19 1980-11-19 Composition for releasing adhesives from a surface

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1149109A (en)

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