CA2089175A1 - Hot melt adhesive composition and method - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

HOT MELT ADHESIVE COMPOSITION AND METHOD

A hot melt adhesive composition and method of use thereof is provided. The hot melt adhesive contains a major amount of a meltable saccharide, e.g. a lower alkyl glycoside and a minor amount of a polysaccharide derived from starch selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized converted starches, cold-water soluble dextrins, and maltodextrins, and mixtures of more than one of such members of said group. The amount of meltable saccharide is sufficient to provide a flowable melt of said composition and the degree of polymerization and said minor amount of the polysaccharide are sufficient to tackify said melt, but are insufficient to prevent said melt from flowing. Preferred compositions also contain a minor amount of dextrose in addition to an alkyl glycoside. The composition can be used alone as a hot melt or in admixture with other hot melt materials, e.g. ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers. The composition is advantageously used to bond cellulosic substrates which are, as a result, particularly susceptible to repulping, and thus recycling.

Description

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
'-- This application is a continuation-in-part of U . S . application (Case No. 2004371) filed May 27, 1992 5 and a continuation-in-part of U . S . application Serial No.
07/714,789, filed June 13, 1991, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to compositions useful as hot melt adhesives and to methods related thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

' Hot melt adhesives produce a bond by cooling while in contact with surfaces wetted by a melt of the adhesive. As defined in S. Temin, "Adhesive 20 Compositions", Encvclopedia of Polymer Science and Technoloay, vol. 1, pp. 547-577 (John Wiley ~ Sons, Inc., N.Y., N.Y., rev. ed., 1985), a hot melt adhesive is a thermoplastic polymer that is heated to obtain a liquid of flowable viscosity which, after application, cools 25 to form a solid. It is stated that while many of these adhesivos aro polymers of reasonable molecular weight, . 9. basod on polyethylene, other polyolefins or mixturos, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, polyamides, polyostors, and block copolymer rubbers, it is common to 30 incorporato low molocuiar weight additives for increased fluidity at application temperatures.
Hot melt adhesives are used for bonding a var;ety of materials such as paper, wood, plastics, textiles, and other materials. One common use of hot 2~ rl ~j melt adhesives is in the fabrication of corrugated paper board. Considerations surrounding the use of hot melt adhesives include the need for a bond having sufficient strength under conditions of shock, stress, high 5 humidity, and extremes of temperature encountered in transportation and storage. In addition, considerations relating to the application of the adhesive include the melt temperature, wetting time, initial tack, setting time, pot life and general handling qualities on automated application machinery.
There is great and still growing interest in the recycling of materials, particularly those materials that typically have a limited duration of use, e.g. packaging materials such as corrugated boxes. see C. Rowland, "New Corrugated Box Rules . . . ", PulP and Paper, December 1990, pp. 120-126. Thus, paper and related pulp products are commonly regarded as recyclable materials. These materials are generally repulped as part of the recycling process.
Repulping generally involves heating and vigorously agitating an aqueous slurry of the paper material to cause its disintegration into its component fibers. If the paper material is associated with an adhesive that is not dispersible in water, the repulping may be impeded and the paper fibers will tend to break away from the adhesive leaving large lumps or films of adhesive mixed with the paper fibers. These lumps or film~ of adhe~ive can foul the repulping equipment or the equipment used to make paper from the repulped fibers and may be retained in the resulting recycled paper as blotche~ and other irregularities.

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U.S. Patent No. 3,891,584 (Ray-Chaudhuri et al . ) discloses a water-dispersible hot melt adhesive.
The adhesive comprises a graft copolymer of a vinyl monomer and a polyalkylene oxide polymer with a 5 polymerized ethylene oxide content of at least 50~ by weight. The patent states that papers coated with such adhesives are recyclable without adverse effects.
U . S . Patent No. 3,474,055 (Dooley) discloses a hot melt adhesive containing a high melting polyhydroxy 10 compound. The patent notes the problems associated -- with repulping corrugated board paper stock that has been treated with a conventional hot melt adhesive. The patent states that improved repulpability is obtained by adding to an otherwise acceptable hot melt from 5 to 50 15 parts by weight of a water soluble crystalline polyhydroxy compound having a melting point of at least 100C. It is further stated that the polyhydroxy compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols and saccharides, 20 sorbitol being an example of the former and D-glucose being an example of the latter. The patent also states that higher molecular weight oligosaccharides and polysaccharides are unsuitable because of amorphous structure or tendency to decompose under the conditions 25 of preparation and use of the hot melt adhesive.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a composition useful - as a hot melt adhesive or component thereof comprising a 5 major amount of a lower alkyl glycoside, and a minor amount of a polysaccharide derived from starch selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized converted starches, cold-water soluble dextrins, and maltodextrins, and mixtures of more than one of such members of said 10 group, wherein:
(i) said major amount of alkyl glycoside is sufficient to provide a flowable melt of said composition, - and (ii) the degree of polymerization and said 15 minor amount of said polysaccharide is sufficient to tackify said melt, but is insufficient to prevent said melt from flowing. This invention relates to a heterogeneous blend comprised of particles of each of the above ingredients and to a substantially homogeneous 20 melt-processed blend of the ingredients.
It has been found that a hot melt adhesive blend prepared from the ingredients set forth above has excellent functionality as an adhesive, particularly when used to bond paper materials, and yet will readily 25 disperse in the aqueous medium used in repulping of the paper materials. In addition to acting as the hot melt adhesiv~l itsolf, the composition is compatible with convontional ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers used as hot melt adhesives and, when used in admixture 30 therewith, will improve the repulpability of paper materials bonded with the resulting hot melt adhesive.
It wa- found that when dextrose was used alone to provtde a melt of the polysaccharide, the resulting 2 '~

adhesive bond was very susceptible to failure under - conditions of high humidity. Substitution of an alkyl glycoside for the dextrose has been found to substantially eliminate adhesive failure under conditions 5 of high humidity.
This invention also relates to a composition useful as a hot melt adhesive or component thereof comprising a lower alkyl glycoside, dextrose, and a polysaccharide derived from starch selected from the 10 group consisting of pre-gelatinized converted starches, cold-water soluble dextrins, and maltodextrins, and mixtures of more than one of such members of said group, wherein:
(i) the amounts of dextrose and lower alkyl 15 glycoside are sufficient to provide a flowable melt of said composition, (ii) the amount of said lower alkyl glycoside is sufficient in relation to the amount of dextrose in said composition to impart to said composition resistance to 20 adhesive failure when used as a hot melt adhesive under conditions of elevated humidity, and (iii) the degree of polymerization and the amount of said polysaccharide is sufficient to tackify said melt, but is insufficient to prevent said melt from 25 flowing. This invention relates to a heterogeneous blend comprised of particles of each of the above ingredients and to a substantially homogeneous melt-processed blend of tho ingredionts.
It has been found that the use of dextrose 30 with an alkyl glycoside to provide a melt will generally yiold a composition having a lower melt tomperature This allows for a longer pot life for the resulting adhesive without degradation of the adhesive 2~

components. Thus, under production circumstances which require an extended pot life, the use of dextrose with an alkyi glycoside is preferred.
This application also relates to a method of 5 adhering a cellulosic material to another substrate comprising interposing a melt of a blend composition between a cellulosic material and a substrate such that the cellulosic material and substrate are in contact with said melt and cooling said melt while in contact with said 10 cellulosic material and said substrate, wherein said blend composition comprises:
(a) a major amount of a meltable saccharide selected from the group consisting of a mono-saccharide, a di-saccharide, a derivative of a mono-saccharide, a 15 derivative of a di-saccharide, and mixtures of more than one of such members, and (b) a minor amount of a polysaccharide derived from starch selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized converted starches, cold-water soluble 20 dextrins, and maltodextrins, and mixtures of more than one of such members of said group, wherein:
(i) said major amount of saccharide is sufficient to provide a flowable melt of said composition, and (ii) the degree of polymerization and said minor amount of said polysaccharide is sufficient to tackify said melt, but is insufficient to prevent said melt from flowing.
As used herein, the term derivative as , 30 applied to mono-saccharides and di-saccharides shall mean a compound derived from a mono-saccharide or di-saccharide, respectively. Preferred derivatives of mono- and di-saccharides are glycoside derivatives or r- ~

hydrogenation products, e.g. alkyl glucoside and sorbitol, respectively.
This invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a shaped article comprising melting a 5 composition of this invention, shaping said melt into the form of an article, and cooling said melt while in the shape of said article and to articles of manufacture produced by such methods.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One of the components of the composition is a lower alkyl glycoside. By "lower alkyl glycoside" is 5 meant a composition comprised predominantly of an acetal or ketal of a monosaccharide with a lower (i . e. C1 -C4) alkanol. Examples of monosaccharides from which the glycoside is derived include glucose, fructose, mannose, galactose, talose, gulose, allose, altrose, idose, 10 arabinose, xylose, Iyxose, and ribose. The preferred glycosides are glucosides, i.e. derived from glucose, and most preferred is alpha-methyl glucoside. ~ower alkyl glycosides are typically manufactured by heating the monosaccharide in the lower alkanol under conditions 15 which cause the condensation of the alkanol with the monosaccharide and the liberation of water or by heating a polysaccharide form of the monosaccharide (e.g. starch in the case of glucosides) in a lower alkanol to cause a type of transglycosidation of the polysaccharide to the 20 lower alkyl glycoside. If a lower aliphatic polyol (such as the diols ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol and - the triol glycerol) is used condensed with the monosaccharide, the product is a lower hydroxy-alkyl glycoside. As such, lower hydroxy-alkyl glycosides are 25 within the scope of the term "derivative" as applied to mono-saccharides and di-saccharides as used herein~
Another component of the preferred adhesive compositlons of this invention is dextrose. Dextrose is avallable commerclally in the anhydrous or monohydrate ~0 crystalllne form, or as a syrup. Dextrose is obtained -~ by the hydrolysls of starch, e.g. from corn. ~he production and properties of dextrose and corn syrups aro discussed by H. M. Pancoast et al., Handbook of ;

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Suqars, pp. 157-287 (AVI Publ. Co., Westport, Connecticut, 2d ed., 1980), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Substantially pure dextrose, as crystalline monohydrate or high solids 5 syrup (e. 9 . about 70% by weight), is preferred for use herein. Corn syrups and corn syrup solids are chara~terized by dextrose equivalent (D. E. ) with the high conversion syrups having a high D. E. and a high concentration of dextrose. Lower conversion syrups and 10 corn syrup solids (which are typically of low conversion) may be useful, but are not preferred.
The polysaccharide component of the composition is selected from the group consisting of three individual classes of starch based materials. All of 15 these materials are characterized by having been derived from starch in a manner such that the native polysaccharide has been subjected to partial hydrolysis to lower its molecular weight and, thus, the viscosity of a melt in which the polysaccharide is dispersed. In 20 general, the polysaccharide will be sufficiently depolymerized that the melt will exhibit a viscosity of not more than about 50,000 cps at 135C, preferably not more than about 10,000 cps, e.g. a dynamic viscosity as determined by Bohlin Rheometer, model VOR, available 25 from Bohlin Reologi, Inc., Cranbury, New Jersey.
Further, the hrm of the polysaccharide has been converted from the native granular state to a form which will ~llow the poly-accharide to disperse in the high temperature, but low moisture, environment of a melt of 30 the ingredients.
A~ can be appreciated, the higher saccharides that may be present in the source of the dextrose may act asi a secondary source of the polysaccharide r~

purposely added to the composition. Conversely, the dextrose that may be present in the source of polysaccharide, particularly the maltodextrins, may act as a secondary source of the dextrose of the 5 composition. In the event that such secondary sources of polysaccharide and dextrose, respectively, are substantial, such sources should, of course, be taken into account when selecting the proper amount of the dextrose or polysaccharide which is purposely added.
10Converted pre-gelatinized starches are typically derived from native starch by hydrolysis, e.g.
with enzymes or aqueous acid. The starch may be in granular form during hydrolysis with acid, but it is hydrolyzed to a degree sufficient to reduce the viscosity 15 of an aqueous dispersion of the starch, in which dispersion the starch is in gelatinized form. In other words, the starch is made "thin-boiling". Typical acid hydrolysis conditions will include slurrying starch with ~i water to a slurry density of from about 1.1 g~ml to 20 about 1.2 g/ml and adding sufficient mineral acid (e.g.
hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid) to reduce the pH of the slurry to between about 1.5 and about 2.5. The slurry is then heated under pressure to a temperature between about 105C to about 125C, for a time 25 sufficient to give the desired degree of thinning (and which also sorves to gelatinize or liquefy the starch).
Tho starch will typically have a Brookfield viscosity at about 30~ solids of from about 600 to about 1000 cps.
The starch can be isolated after neutralization of 30 residual minoral acid by drying of the slurry, for oxample on hoated rolls, to a moderate moisture content (o.g. 10~ to 12~ by weight).

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Another class of materials derived from starch and which are useful as the polysaccharide are the cold-water soluble dextrins. As used herein, the term "dextrin" is meant to refer to the products derived from 5 essentially dry starch by the action of heat, or both heat and acid. Such materials are also referred to in the art as "pyrodextrins". The manufacture of dextrins is extensively discussed in R. B. Evans et al., "Production and Use of Starch Dextrins", Starch:
Chemistry and Technoloay, vol . I l, pp . 253-278 ( R . L.
Whistler, ed ., Academic Press I nc ., N . Y ., N . Y ., 1967), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein .
There are generally four major steps in the production of dextrins, i.e. acidification (typically with about 0.05% to 0.15% of 0.1N HCI), predrying (typically to about 1-596 moisture), dextrinization (heating at temperatures of about 95C to 180C) and cooling, although the class of dextrins known as British gums are made without acid. Of the two types of dextrins prepared with acid, the white dextrins are heated at lower temperatures than the canary dextrins, and thus, longer periods of roasting of white dextrins are needed to obtain the same increase in solubility as a canary dextrin. In general, the cold-water solubility of the dextrin should be substantial, e.g. greater than 50~, and the viscosity sufficiently reduced f rom the parent starch to yTeld the melt viscosity discussed above in connection wlth pre-gelatinized converted starches.
Tho polysaccharide may also be a maltodextrin.
Maltodextrins are prepared from starch by the hydrolysis with acid and/or enzyme of starch in an aqueous medium. Maltodextrins are generally characterized on fr r) ~l " ~

~ 13 ~ 2004372 the basis of dextrose equivalent (D. E. ) which is an indication of the totai reducing sugars present calculated as D-glucose on a dry weight basis. Unhydrolyzed starch has a D.E. of virtually zero while pure anhydrous 5 D-gls~cose has a D.E. of 100. Maltodextrins have a D.E.
of less than 20 from which it may be inferred that the average degree of polymerization (DP) of the - polysaccharide will be greater than about 5 Maltodextrins having a D. E . as low as about 1 (i . e. an 10 average DP of about 100) are commercially available.
Starch hydrolysates having a D . E . above 20, e. 9 . Iow conversion (D. E. of 20-45) corn syrup solids, may also be useful as the polysaccharide, particularly in compositions which otherwise have no added dextrose.
The production of maltodextrins is discussed in R. L. Whistler, Starch: Chemistrv and Technoloqy, pp.
614-623 (2nd ed ., Academic Press I nc., N . Y ., N . Y ., 1984), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A slurry of starch in water (e.g. at 40~ by 20 weight starch solids) is typically heated to liquefy the starch and then acid (e. 9 . HCI) is added to lower the pH of the slurry te.9. to about 2) to catalyze the hydrolysis of the starch in the hot aqueous solution.
The acid is neutralized and the slurry is typically 25 evaporated to higher solids for further hydrolysis, if desired, with enzymo, or for drying (e . g . by spray drying) .
The amounts of the components are chosen in r~btion to on0 another to yield the desired properties in 30 the resulting hot melt adhesive. The alkyl glycoside, and dextrose if pr0sent, provides a flowable melt phase to the adhesive. The flowability of the adhesive melt is important in allowing the melt to wet the %ubstrate to be 1~\ V ~

bonded. As noted above, the degree of polymerization of the polysaccharide will affect the viscosity, and thus flowability, of the melt as well. Thus, the selection of the precise amount of alkyl glycoside, and dextrose, will be influenced by the choice of polysaccharide. In general, the alkyl glycoside will comprise a major amount by weight (i.e. at least 50~ by weight) of the mixture of alkyl glycoside and polysaccharide and the - polysaccharide will comprise a minor amount by weight of the mixture (i.e. Iess than 50% by weight, typically from about 15% by weight to about 35% by weight). The amount of polysaccharide should be sufficient to impart wet tack to the melt and to prevent excessive migration of the melt into porous substrates, ~uch as uncoated - 15 paper. Likewise, in mixtures of alkyl glycoside, dextrose, and polysaccharide, the combined weight of the alkyl glycoside and dextrose will be a major amount by weight of the mixture.
In compositions which contain both alkyl i 20 glycoside and dextrose, the amount of alkyl glycoside should be sufficient in relation to the amount of dextrose to provide the desired degree of resistance to adhesive failure at elevated temperature and humidity. Such rosistance can be measured by use of the customary test methods, e.g. TAPPI Method T 517 om-85 "Dynamic Strength of Flexible Barrier Material Seals" (Technical A~ociation of the Pulp and Paper I ndustry, Atlanta, Georgia, 1985) and TAPPI Useful Method 556 "Static Load Strength of Flexible Barrier Material Seals", upon samples tested in an environment having conditions of elevated temperature and humidity te.g. 100F and 85 r. h . ) . As noted above, the amount of dextrose can be adjusted to lower the temperature at which the 2 ' ~ ~ ' ` `~ ~'! 'j compositions form a melt upon heating. This lower melt temperature will allow the adhesive to be kept at application temperatures for longer periods with lower risk of degrading the components of the melt, e.g. the 5 polysaccharide. Generally, the ratio of alkyl glycoside to dextrose will be at least about 1:1 to about 5:1, and typically from about 2:1 to about 4:1.
The above components of the adhesive composition are commercially available as powdered, - 10 crystalline or granulated solids which are substantially dry, e.g containing no more than about 15% moisture.
The crystalline monohydrate form of dextrose, when substantially dry, will contain about 9% by weight moisture held within the crystal lattice. The 15 polysaccharide will generally contain substantial moi~ture, e.g. 8~ to 12% by weight, although a dextrin may have substantially less moisture, e.g. 3-5%. Thus, a melt of the ingredients will generally contain, at most, a nominal or trace amount of water, preferably less than 20 5% by weight. In certain embodiments, this invention relates to a mixture of the components in the form of a blend of particles, each particle comprised of one of the individual components, and thus, the blend is heterogeneous in nature. Such a blend is prepared by 25 ~imply dry mixing Individual dry ingredients. This dry blend can be used as a hot melt adhesive directly or it c-n be mixed with other additives or hot melt adhesives.
In other embodiments, this invention relates to a melt processed blend of the ingredients which, as a 30 result of the melt processing, is a substantially homogeneou~ mixturo. In this embodiment, the compo~ition may be in the form of rods, pellets, granules, or powders. The melt processed blend is - Q ~ ` A r ~

prepared by heating a mixture of the desired amounts of the components to form a melt, e . g . to a temperatu re of from about 100C to about 200C, and stirring of the melt to achieve substantial homogeneity. The melt chamber is preferably vented to allow evaporation of the water that may be present in the composition.
Alternatively, the process may comprise first melting the alkyl glycoside and/or dextrose followed by the addition of the polysaccharide. In the event a syrup is used as a source of the dextrose, most, if not all, of the water of the syrup will be evaporated during this melt blend processing. The melt is then cooled below its melting range to solidify. Such processing may be batch or continuous .
For example, the components can be fed to an extruder, e.g. a vented, single-screw extruder, with a heating zone to melt the composition followed by a cooling zone to solidify the composition. Upon exit from the extruder barrel, the composition can be deposited as a rod for use as an adhesive or the composition can be , pelleted, e.g. through the use of a reciprocating or rotating knife positioned at the mouth of the extruder barrel. The composition can then be packed and/or storod, as desired, prior to reheating for use as a hot molt adhosivo.
- Tho hot molt adhesivo may contain additional compononts. Typlcal additives include tackifying resins (o. 9. torpono rosins and/or rosin derivatives), plasticlzor~, flow modifiers, fillers, pigments, and/or dyostuffs, gonorally in a minor amount by weight (i. e.
Ioss than 50~ by woight of the adhesive). Particularly usoful additivos aro waxos or oils. Particularly preferred waxos are the hydrocarbon waxes such as paraffin ~ ~ 7j V ~

waxes, microcrystalline waxes, polyethylene waxes, Fischer-Tropsch waxes, and/or chemically modified hydrocarbon waxes (e.g. oxidized polyethylene waxes).
Waxes and their sources are more particularly described in EncycloPedia of Chemical Technolo~y, vol. 24, pp.
466-481 (Kirk-Othmer, eds., John Wiley ~ Sons, Inc., N.Y., N.Y., 3rd ed., 1984), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The amount of wax added, if any, will typically range from about 5% to about 20% by weight of the hot melt adhesive.
Further, the hot melt compositions of this invention can be used in admixture with conventional hot melt adhesives, i.e. thermoplastic polymers, e.g.
ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (e. g . ELVAX, available from E.l. DuPont de Nemours, Wilmington, Delaware), polyethylene, other polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, and block copolymer rubbers. Such conventional hot melt adhesives will generally comprise a minor amount by weight of the hot melt adhesive (i . e. Iess than 5ali by weight), but may be present in a major amount depending upon the properties desired in the hot melt and the degree of repulpability that is needed in the chosen use of the adhesive. Such thermoplastic polymers will generally have a melting point between 2S about 100C and about 200C.
The compositions of this invention are used as a hot molt adhosive. The composition, while in the form of a flowablo molt, it interposed between two surfaces to bo bonde~. Tho two surfaces are mated and the composition is allowed to at least partially solidify after wotting the two surfaces and thus form a bond between the surfaces. The precise amount of adhesive applied per unit of area of the bond will vary, but typlcal 9 ~ r! r~

values range from about 0.1 to about 0.3 grams per square inch of adhesive bond, most typically from about 0.15 to about 0.25 g/sq. in. Of course, it should be noted that the surface of the substrate actually bonded is typically only a fraction, e.g. 10%, of the area of the surfaces that are mated as a result of the bond, e.g. in a closure of box flaps. The temperature to which the composition need be heated to form a flowable melt will also vary depending upon the precise formulation 10 thereof, but will typically be between about 100C to about 200C.
Various techniques may be used to obtain a melt of the adhesive interposed between the surfaces to be bonded. Techniques of bonding with hot melts are discussed in Encvclopedia of Polvmer Science and Enaineerinq, vol. 1, pp. 547-552 (John Wiley ~ Sons, Inc., N.Y., N.Y. 1984), and EncvcloPedia of Chemical TechnoloaY, vol. 1, pp. 499-501 (Kirk-Othmer eds., John Wiley ~ Sons, Inc., N.Y., N.Y., 3rd ed., 1904), 20 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In general, the adhesive is applied to the substrates by one of three general methods, or variations thereof.
In the first method, a melt of the adhesive is 25 applied to one of the surfaces to be bonded, and the second surface is then mated to the first with the melt positioned between the surfaces. The mode of application of the melt may vary, depending upon the dosired pattern of adhesive and the viscosity of the 30 melt, e.g. melts of relatively low viscosity may be applieci by spraying, melts of moderate viscosity may be applied by extrusion, and melts of high viscosity may bs applied by roll coating . I n the second method, the melt 2 ~ 3 r~ ~ r~ ~j is fed between prepositioned surfaces by gravity, capillary wicking, pressure, or vacuum feeding techniques. In the third method, a solid form of the adhesive, e. g . a powder of film, is placed between the surfaces and heat is applied to the adhesive to melt it.
In the broadest embodiments of the method of this invention, the composition used as an adhesive is a mixture of a major amount of a meltable saccharide and a minor amount of a polysaccharide. The group of meltable saccharide includes the alkyl glycosides and the saccharides discussed above. This group also includes other sugars, e. 9. sucrose, fructose, lactose, and maltose, and the sugar alcohols, e.g. sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, dulcitol, mannitol, and lactitol. Methods of obtaining sugar alcohols are described in F. Benson, "Alcohols, Polyhydric (Sugar)", Encvclopedia of Chemical Tochnolo~v, vol. 1, pp. 754-778, (John Wiley ~ Sons, Inc. N.Y., N.Y., Kirk-Othmer, eds., 3d ed., 1978), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
The compositions of this invention may be used to bond a variety of substrates, but are most advantageously used to bond cellulosic substrates, e.g.
paper, paperboard, corrugated board, chipboard, and the like. The adhesive finds particular utility in case and carton sealing applications wherein the adhesive is u~od to bond tho flaps of paperboard or corrugated board containor~ and thereby close the case or carton.
Tho case or carton, after use, is then particularly su~ceptible to repulping.
- 30 The compositions of this invention can also be u~od to prepare shaped articles that are largely biodogradablo. By shaped articles is meant items that havo utllity by virtue of their structural dimensions of r ! ~

height, width and depth. Such articles may have a variety of geometric shapes and may be either solid, hollow, open-celled foams, closed-cell foams, and the like. Such articles include bottles, sheets, films, 5 wrappings, pipes, rods, spheres, cubes, squares, tiles, mats, laminated films, bags, capsules (e.g.
pharmaceutical capsules), granules, powders, or foams.
The techniques employed to form such articles may include casting, injection molding, blow molding, 10 extrusion, co-extrusion, spray coating, dip coating, roller coating, curtain coating, and the like. Further, ingots, rods, or films of the composition can, if heated above their glass transition temperature, but below their melt temperature, be physically manipulated (e.g. by roll 15 forming, stamping and so on) and, thus, articles can be formed in this manner.
In particular embodiments, the compositions of this invention will be melted, molded, and cooled to form solid cylinders that are useful as hot melt glue sticks.
20 Such cylinders are typically from about 2 mm to about 2 cm in diameter and from about 2 cm to about 20 cm in length. These cylinders can then be inserted into commercially available hot melt glue "guns" which have a heated chamber that receives the cylinder. In : 25 operation, the cylinder is heated in the chamber and the - melt dispensed from the "muzzle" of the gun.
The following examples will illustrate the invontion and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof. All parts, percentages and ratios recited in 30 this spocification are by weight unless otherwise noted in context.

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EXAMPLES

In all of the examples, the following procedures of adhesive preparation, application and 5 testing were employed.
All of the ingredients were first dry blended until well mixed. After dry blending, the mixture was fed at maximum rate into a four stage, single screw extruder available as the Bonnot Model 2 and 1/4" from 10 The Bonnot Co., Kent, Ohio. This extruder had a barrel length of 44 inches, a screw diameter of 2 and 1/4 inches, and a screw speed of 36 rpm. The temperature within the extruder was at 60C in the first stage and 163C in the remaining three stages. The 15 extrudate was collected on a stainless steel plate or cooling belt.
The melt range reported in the examples is the range over which the melt processed blend first began to soften to the temperature at which the melt was fully 20 liquified. The softening points reported in the examples were measured according to ASTM Method E28 "Test Method for Softening Point by Ring-and-Ball Apparatus"
(American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1982). The melt viscosity 25 was a dynamic viscosity as measured by Bohlin Rheomoter, model VOR, available from Bohlin Reologi, Inc., Cranbury, New Jersey.
Bond~ for shear test;ng were prepared by r~nelting the adhesive to a temperature above its melt 30 rango, and applying the melt between coated cereal box ~tock bondod coated side to uncoated side to simulate a flap closuro of a cereal box. The adhesive was applied at tho rate of approximately 0.2 grams per square inch.

h iJ u~ 3 The shear testing for Examples 1-14 was performed in accordance with TAPPI Method T 517 om-85 Dynamic Strength of Flexible Barrier Material Seals and TAPPI
Useful Method 556 Static Load Strength of Flexible 5 Barrier Material Seals . The Dynamic Shear value reported below is the average load needed to cause failure and the Static Load Shear value reported below is the time until failure of a one square inch bond tested with a load of 300 grams. The peel and shear testing 10 for Examples 23-30 was performed in accordance with Modified TAPPI Methods T8145su-71 from Testing of Adhesives, TAPPI Monograph series No. 35 (R.G. Meese, ed., Mack Printing Co., Easton, Pennsylvania, 1974).

The following identifies the materials listed in the formulations set forth in the examples.

- Dextrin 230: a pyrodextrin available from A.E. Staley Mfg. Co., Decatur, Illinois, as 20 STADEX~ 230.

Dextrin 94: a pyrodextrin available from A.E.
Staley Mfg. Co., Decatur, Illinois, as STADEX0 94.
~' Acid-modified Starch: an acid depolymerized starch available from A. E. Staley Mfg. Co. as KOLDEX0 ,: 60.

Maltodextrin 10: a 10 D. E. maltodextrin 30 availablo from A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. as STAR-DRI0 10.

Maltodoxtrin 1: a 1 D. E. maltodextrin avallablo from A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. as STAR-DRI0 1.
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Corn Syrup Solids 24: a low conversion corn syrup solids having a D. E. of 24 available from A. E.
Staley Mfg. Co. as STAR-DRI 24R

Corn Syrup Solids 35: a low conversion corn syrup solids having a D. E. of 35 available from A. E.
Staley Mfg. Co. as STAR-DRI 35R

Corn Syrup Solids 42: a low conversion corn syrup solids hav;ng a D. E. of 42 available from A. E.
Staley Mfg. Co. as STAR-DRI 42C

Methyl Glucoside: alpha-methyl glucoside available from Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, lowa, as STA-MEG'ID 104.

Dextroso: dextrose monohydrate available from A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. as STALEYDEX~ 333.
, Paraffin Wax: a paraffin wax having a melt range of from 48C to 68C, available from Boyle-Midway, Inc., N.Y., N.Y.
.
C-4040 Wax: a saturated straight chain hydrocarbon polymer available from Petrolite Corporation, Tulsa, Oklahoma, as PETROLITE C-4040 crystalline polymer.

C-5500 Wax: an oxidized hydrocarbon available from Petrolite Corporation as PETROLITE~9 C-5500.

~ U ~

EVA 1: an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer available from DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware, as ELVAX
205W.

EVA 2: an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer available from DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware, as ELVAX
210.

EBAC: an ethylene/n-butyl acrylate copolymer 10 available from Quantum Chemical Corp., Cincinnati, Ohio, as EA ô9822.

., .

r : 25 1 n ~ I rl ~;

Fonnulation:
Pa rts Inqredient by Wei~ht Methyl Giucoside 70 Acid-Modified Starch 30 ProPertbs:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r.h./24 hrs.: ôô.8 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r.h./24 hrs.: 74.4 Ibs./sq. in.

Static Load Shear:
at 100F/8596 r.h./300 gm. wt.: Failed at 97 hrs.

t Visco~ity:
at 135C: --' at 15ûC: 21,100 cps Melt Range: 160-163C

Softening Point: 155C

-7~r' h ~J ` . J!

Formulation:
Pa rts In~redient by Wei~ht Dextrin 20 Methyl Glucoside 40 Dextrose 10 C4040 Wax 5 C5500 Wax 10 Properties:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50~ r.h./24 hrs.: 101.6 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r. h./24 hrs.: 44.1 Ibs./sq. in .

Static Load Shear:
at 100F/85% r.h./300 gm. wt.: Failed at 54 hrs.
Viscosity:
at 135C:39,200 cps at 150C:1,470 cps -Melt Range: 115-123C

Softening Point: 126.5C

v ~

Formulation:
Parts In~redient b`~ Wei~ht Dextrin 20 Methyl Glucoside 50 Dextrose 15 - C4040 Wax 5 C5500 Wax 10 - Properties:
Dynamic Shear:
' at 72F/50% r.h./24 hrs.: 99.3Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/ô5% r.h./24 hrs.: 49.3 Ibs./sq. in.
.~ .
Static Load Shear:
at 100F/8591~ r.h./300 gm. wt.: Failed between 3 days and 5 days Vi s cos ity:
at 135C: 2,240 cps at 150C: 1,120 cps .
25Melt Range: 116-122C

Softening Point: 135.5C

.

r~

;

Formulation:
Parts In~redient by Wei~ht Dextrin 25 Methyl Glucoside 50 Dextrose 20 C4040 Wax 5 ProPerties:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r.h./24 hrs.: 92.8 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/854~ r.h./24 hrs.: 0 Ibs./sq. in.

Static Load Shear:
at 100F/859~ r.h./300 gm. wt.: ~2 hrs. to failure Viscosity:
at 135C: 17,800 cps at 150C: 538 cps Melt Range: 109-119C
O
Softening Polnt: 130 C

Formulation:
Pa rts Inqredient bY Weiqht Dextrin 25 Methyl Glucoside 50 Dextrose 25 10ProPerties:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r.h./24 hrs.: 79.5 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r.h./24 hrs.: 0 Ibs./sq. in.
Static Load Shear:
at 100F/859~ r.h./300 gm. wt.: '1 hr. to failure Viscosity:
at 135C: 8,980 cps at 150C: 670 cps Melt Range: 117-126C

Softening Point: 134C

2 ~ ~ ~ 7 ~;

Formulation:
Pa rts Ingredient by Wei~ht 5 Dextrin 20 Methyl Glucoside 20 Dextrose 10 C4040 Wax 10 C5500 Wax 10 Properties:
Dynamic Shear:
' 15 at 72F/50% r.h./24 hrs.: 81.2 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r.h./24 hrs.: 44.2 Ibs./sq. in.

- Static Load Shear:
at 100F/85% r.h./300 gm. wt.: >10 days with no failu re .
Viscosity:
at 121C: 12,800 cps at 135C: 7,590 cps at 150C: --Melt Range: 108-129C

Softening Point: 103.5C

J

. .
.v -f~ u ~ .J ,. ~ ~`?

- Formulation:
Pa rts Inqredient by Wei.~ht Methyl Glucoside 72.2 Maltodextrin 10 27.8 ProPerties:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/5096 r.h./24 hrs.: 83.1 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r.h./24 hrs.: 88.3 Ibs./sq. in.

Static Load Shear:
at 100F/85% r.h./300 gm. wt.: Failed at 20 hrs.
Viscosity:
at 135C: --at 150C: 1,230,000 cps at 163C: 2,960 cps Melt Range: 147-154C

Softening Point: 145C

Q ~
~ ~, c v ~ d J

Forrnu lation:
Pa rts Inqredient by Wei~ht Methyl Glucoside 70.05 Acid-Modified Starch 23.70 Paraffin Wax 6.25 Properties:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r.h./24 hrs.: 88.6 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r.h./24 hrs.: 82.3 Ibs./sq. in.
Static Load Shear:
at 100F/85% r.h./300 gm. wt.: >2 months with no failure Viscosity:
at 135C: --at 150C:16,500 cps Melt Range: 149-155C

Softening Point: 155C

h ~a . ~, e ,;

Formulation:
Pa rts Inaredient bv Weiaht Methyl Glucoside 65 Maltodextrin 1 30 Paraffin Wax 5 Properties:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/5096 r.h./24 hrs.:85.0 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r.h./24 hrs.:75.2 Ibs./sq. in.
Static Load Shear:
at 100F/85~ r.h./300 gm. wt.:'2 months with no failure Viscosity:
at 135C: --at 150C:150,000 cps at 163C:5,260 cps Melt Range:149-152C
Softening Point: 156C

rl ~
v ~ ~ t,i Formulation: Parts Inaredient by Weiaht Methyl Glucoside 66.7 Acid -Modif ied Sta rch 33.3 Properties:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r.h./24 hrs.: 90.9 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r.h./24 hrs.: 81.5 Ibs./sq. in.

Static Load Shear:
15at 100F/85%r.h./300 gm. wt.: ~10 days with no failure Viscosity:
at 135C: 150,000 cps 20at 150C: 86,000 cps at 163C: 25,000 cps Melt Range: 142-152C

Softening Point: 154.5C

~ V V ~

Formulation:
Pa rts Inaredient by Weiaht Methyl Glucoside 50 Acid-Modified Starch 25 Properties:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r.h./24 hrs.: 99.6 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r.h./24 hrs.: 83.4 Ibs./sq. in.
Static Load Shear:
at 100F/85% r.h./300 gm. wt.: '10 days with no failure Viscosity:
at 135C:3,590,000 cps at 150C:-- cps at 163C:76,300 cps Melt Range: 148-155C
Softening Point: 155C

~ tJ ~

Formulation:
Pa rts Inqredient bv Weiqht Methyl Glucoside 50 Acid-Modified Starch 25 Dextrose 20 Paraffin Wax 5 Properties -Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50~ r.h./24 hrs.: 86.8 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r.h./24 hrs.: 79.5 Ibs./sq. in.

Static Load Shear:
at 100F/85% r.h./300 gm. wt.: >10 days with no failure Viscosity:
at 135C: --at 150C: 15,100 cps Melt Range: 140-150C
Softening Point: 138.5C

For~nulation:
Pa rts Inaredient bv Wei~ht Methyl Glucoside 55.6 Acid-Modified Starch 27.8 EVA 2 16.6 10 Properties:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r.h./24 hrs.: 97.6 Ibs./sq. in.
at 100F/85% r.h./24 hrs.: 83.3 Ibs./sq. in.
Static Load Shear:
at 100F/85% r.h./300 gm. wt.: >10 days with no failure Viscosity:
20 at 135C: --at 150C: 47,300 cps at 163C: 31,51)0 cps Melt Range: 140-150C
Softoning Point: 151C

~ 'J~ _ ~f .~

Formulation:
Pa rts In~redient by Wei~ht Dextrin 47.5 Dextrose 47.5 Paraffin wax 5.0 ProPerties:
Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r.h./24 hrs.: --at 100F/85~ r.h./24 hrs.: Failed before 24 hrs.

Static Load Shear:
at 100F/85% r.h./300 gm. wt.: Failed at ~1/2 hr.

Viscosity:
at 135C: 45,200 cps at 150C: Foams Melt Range: 105-116C

Softening Point: 88.5C

Formulation:
Pa rts Inaredient by Wei~ht Dextrin 94 50 Dextrose 1 5 Sucrose 35 Fonnulation:
Pa rts Inqredient by Weiaht Maltodextrin 10 50 Sucrose 50 Fonnulation:
Parts In~redient bv Wei.qht Dextrin 94 50 Dextrose 25 Sucrose 25 r~r~ ~

Formulation:
Pa rts Inaredient by Weiqht Dextrin 230 40 Dextrose 35 Fructose 'O
Corn Syrup Solids 24 15 Formulation:
- Parts In~redient bY Weiqht Dextrin 230 48 Dextrose 32 Fructose 10 Corn Syrup Solids 24 10 Formulation: Parts In~redient bv Weiqht Dextrin 230 40 Dextrose 40 Corn Syrup Solids 35 20 2 ~ r~

Formulation: Parts Inqredient bv Wei.qht 5Dextrose 60 Maltodextrin 1 40 Fonnulation: Pa rts Inaredient bv Weiaht Dextrose 50 15Maltodextrin 1050 r~ ~, ; J ~ i3 Formulation:
Pa rts Inqredient bY Wei~ht Methyl Glucoside 50 Corn Syrup Solids 42 50 ProPerties Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/5096 r.h-First replicate: 40.85 Ibs.tsq. in.
Second replicate: 41.66 Ibs./sq. in.

Percent Dynamic Shear 15 Retained on Conditioning: 99.47 Peel: 66C

Shear: >82C
Softening Point: 95C

Viscosity:
at 149C: 875 cps at 143C: 1,238 cps at 138C: 6,550 cps at 133C: offscale Formulation:
Pa rts In~redient bY Weiaht Methyl Glucoside 50 Corn Syrup Solids 42 30 Dextrin 230 20 Properties Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r.h.
First replicate: 39.69 Ibs./sq. in.
Second replicate: 36.44 Ibs./sq. in.
15 Percent Dynamic Shear Retained on Conditioning: 91.78 Peel: 63C

20 Shear: >82C

Softening Point: 151C

Viscosity:
at 149C: 2,375 cps at 143C: 3,250 cps at 138C: 6,213 cps at 133C: offscale . ~ g A ~ r~r;

Fonnulation:
Pa rts In~redient by Wei~ht Methyl Glucoside 50 Corn Syrup Solids 35 50 Properties Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r.h.
First replicate:27.23 Ibs./sq. in.
Second replicate: 37.91 Ibs./sq. in.

Percent Dynamic Shear Retained on Conditioning: 78.53 .
Peel: 60C

Shear: >82C
Softening Point: 147C

Viscosity:
at 149C: 1,288 cps at 143C: 1,963 cps at 138C: off scale at 133C: Off ~cale Fonnulation: -Pa rts In~redient by Weiqht Methyl Glucoside 50 Corn Syrup Solids 24 50 Properties Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50% r. h .
First replicate: 38.04 Ibs./sq. in.
Second replicate: 40.67 Ibs./sq. in.

Percent Dynamic Shear 15 Retained on Conditioning: 94.89 Peel: 41 C

Shear: ~62C
Softening Point: 107C

Viscosity:
at 149C: 8,638 cps at 143C: 127,500 cps at 138C: off scale at 133C: off scale ~ U ~ v- 1~

Fonnulation: Parts In~redient by Weiqht Methyl Glucoside 50 Corn Syrup Solids 24 35 Dextrose 15 Properties Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50~ r.h.
First replicate:30.78 Ibs./sq. in.
Second replicate: 21.28 Ibs./sq. in.
Percent Dynamic Shear Retained on Conditioning: 62.76 Peel: 77C

Shear: >82C

Softening Point: 103C

Viscosity:
at 149C: 650 cps at 143C: 900 cps at 138C: 1,638 cps at 133C: off scale , .
Formulation:
Pa rts In~redient by Wei~ht Methyl Glucoside 50 Corn Syrup Solids 24 35 S ucrose 15 Properties Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/5096 r.h.
First replicate: 103.10 Ibs./sq. in.
Second replicate: 120.10 Ibs./sq. in .

Percent Dynamic Shear Retained on Conditioning: 102.51 Peel: 57C

Shear: >82C

Softening Point: 79C

Viscosity:
at 149C: 1,400 cps at 143C: 2,125 cps at 138C: 5,625 cps at 133C: off scale . ~

Formulation:
Pa rts Inaredient bY Wei.aht Methyl Glucoside 50 Corn Syrup Solids 24 35 Sorbitol 15 Properties Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50~ r.h.
First replicate: 96.50 Ibs./sq. in.
Second replicate: 91.55 Ibs./sq. in.

Percent Dynamic Shear Retained on Conditioning: 86.37 Peel: 38C

Shear: >82C

Softening Point: 77C

Viscosity:
at 149C: 625 cps at 143C: 800 cps at 138C: 1,375 cps at 133C: 147,000 cps ~ 3 c~

Formulation:
Parts In,qredient by Weiqht Methyl Glucoside 50 Corn Syrup Solids 24 35 Fructose 15 10 Properties Dynamic Shear:
at 72F/50~ r.h.
First replicate: 49.ô2 Ibs./sq. in.
Second replicate: 92.75 Ibs./sq. in.

Percent Dynamic Shear Retained on Conditioning: 65.43 Peel: 52C
Shear: >ô2C

~; Softening Point: ô9C

Viscosity:
at 149C:775 cps at 143C:963 cps at 138C: 1,250 cps at 133C: 2,525 cps .
-~ v ~

A series of mixtures were prepared and melt processed substantially as described above. The 5 ingredients and properties are set forth below.

Dextrose Methyl Example Dextrose W Glucoside Parts by Wei~ht v~

Bond Humidity Strength, Resistance, Instron, Static Load, Soft-70F, 300 gm. wt., ening Viscosity 50~ r.h., 100F, Point Example at 300F Ibs./sq. in. ô5~ r.h. (C) 31 387.537.63 45 139.1 32 1412.539.13 45 104.4 33 225.038.14 60 138.5 34 537.537.94 125 154.0 612.538.29 63 127.6 36 312.535.63 75 125.5 37 325 38.96 75 155.~
38 412.538.38 43 136.2 39 825 36.27 100 144.1 425 38.19 60 120.3 41 937.536.83 75 138.8 42 975 37.97 45 134.9 '

Claims (44)

What is claimed is:

1. A composition useful as a thermoplastic material or component thereof comprising a melt processed blend of:
(a) a major amount of a meltable saccharide selected from the group consisting of a mono-saccharide, a di-saccharide, a derivative of a mono-saccharide, a derivative of a di-saccharide, and mixtures of more than one of such meltable saccharides, and (b) a minor amount of a polysaccharide derived from starch selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized converted starches, cold-water soluble dextrins, and maltodextrins, low conversion corn syrup solids, and mixtures of more than one of such polysaccharides, wherein:
(i) said major amount of meltable saccharide is sufficient to provide a flowable melt of said composition, and (ii) the degree of polymerization and said minor amount of said polysaccharide is sufficient to tackify said melt, but is insufficient to prevent said melt from flowing.

2. A composition of Claim 1 wherein said meltable saccharide is comprised of a lower alkyl glycoside.

3. A composition of Claim 1 wherein said meltable saccharide is methyl glucoside.

4. A composition of Claim 1 wherein said pre-gelatinized converted starches have a weight average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 15,000 g/mole, said cold-water soluble dextrins have a weight average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 15,000 g/mole, said maltodextrins have a weight average molecular weight of from about 4,000 g/mole to about 250,000 g/mole, and said corn syrup solids have a D.E.
of from about 20 to about 45.

5. A composition of Claim 1 wherein said minor amount of said polysaccharide is from about 15% to about 35% by weight of said composition.

6. A composition of Claim 1 wherein said composition forms a melt having a dynamic viscosity of not more than about 50,000 cps when measured at 135°C.

7. A composition of Claim 1 wherein said composition forms a melt having a dynamic viscosity of not more than about 10,000 cps when measured at 135°C.

8. A composition of Claim 1 wherein said composition has a moisture content of no more than about 15% by weight.

9. A composition of Claim 1 wherein said composition has a moisture content of less than 5% by weight.

10. A composition of Claim 1 wherein said composition is a homogeneous melt-processed blend of said moltable saccharide and said polysaccharide.

11. A composition of Claim 1 further comprising a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point within the range of about 100°C to about 200°C in an amount less than about 50% by weight of said composition.

12. A method of adhering a cellulosic material to another substrate comprising interposing a melt of a blend composition between a cellulosic material and a substrate such that the cellulosic material and substrate are in contact with said melt and cooling said melt while in contact with said cellulosic material and said substrate, wherein said blend composition comprises:
(a) a major amount of a meltable saccharide selected from the group consisting of a mono-saccharide, a di-saccharide, a derivative of a mono-saccharide, a derivative of a di-saccharide, and mixtures of more than one of such meltable saccharides, and (b) a minor amount of a polysaccharide derived from starch selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized converted starches, cold-water soluble dextrins, and maltodextrins, low conversion corn syrup solids, and mixtures of more than one of such polysaccharides, wherein:
(i) said major amount of meltable saccharide is sufficient to provide a flowable melt of said composition, and (ii) the degree of polymerization and said minor amount of said polysaccharide is sufficient to tackify said molt, but is insufficient to prevent said melt from flowing.

13. A method of manufacturing a shaped article comprising melting a blend composition, shaping said melt into the form of an article, and cooling said melt while in the shape of said article, wherein said blend composition comprises:
(a) a major amount of a meltable saccharide selected from the group consisting of a mono-saccharide, a di-saccharide, a derivative of a mono-saccharide, a derivative of a di-saccharide, and mixtures of more than one of such meltable saccharides, and (b) a minor amount of a polysaccharide derived from starch selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized converted starches, cold-water soluble dextrins, and maltodextrins, low conversion corn syrup solids, and mixtures of more than one of such polysaccharides, wherein:
(i) said major amount of meltable saccharide is sufficient to provide a flowable melt of said composition, and (ii) the degree of polymerization and said minor amount of said polysaccharide is sufficient to tackify said melt, but is insufficient to prevent said melt from flowing.

14. An article of manufacture produced by the method of Claim 13.

15. A composition useful as a hot melt adhesive or component thereof comprising a major amount of a lower alkyl glycoside, and a minor amount of a polysaccharide derived from starch selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized converted starches, cold-water soluble dextrins, and maltodextrins, and mixtures of more than one of such members of said group, wherein:
(i) said major amount of alkyl glycoside is sufficient to provide a flowable melt of said composition, and (ii) the degree of polymerization and said minor amount of said polysaccharide is sufficient to tackify said melt, but is insufficient to prevent said melt from flowing.

16. A composition of Claim 15 wherein said lower alkyl glycoside is a lower alkyl glucoside.

17. A composition of Claim 15 wherein said lower alkyl glycoside is methyl glucoside.

18. A composition of Claim 15 wherein said pre-gelatinized converted starches have a weight average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 15,000 g/mole, said cold-water soluble dextrins have a weight average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 15,000 g/mole, and said maltodextrins have a weight average molecular weight of from about 4,000 g/mole to about 250,000 g/mole.

19. A composition of Claim 15 wherein said minor amount of said polysaccharide is from about 15% to about 35% by weight of said composition.

20. A composition of Claim 15 wherein said composition forms a melt having a dynamic viscosity of not more than about 50,000 cps when measured at 135°C.

21. A composition of Claim 15 wherein said composition forms a melt having a dynamic viscosity of not more than about 10,000 cps when measured at 135°C.

22. A composition of Claim 15 wherein said composition has a moisture content of no more than about 15% by weight.

23. A composition of Claim 15 wherein said composition has a moisture content of less than 5% by weight.

24. A composition of Claim 15 wherein said composition is a homogeneous melt-processed blend of said lower alkyl glycoside and said polysaccharide.

25. A composition of Claim 15 further comprising a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point within the range of about 100°C to about 200°C in an amount less than about 50% by weight of said composition.

26. A method of adhering a cellulosic material to another substrate comprising interposing a melt of the composition of Claim 15 between a cellulosic material and a substrate such that the cellulosic material and substrate are in contact with said melt and cooling said melt while in contact with said cellulosic material and said substrate.

27. A method of manufacturing a shaped article comprising melting a composition of Claim 15, shaping said melt into the form of an article, and cooling said melt while in the shape of said article.

28. An article of manufacture produced by the method of Claim 27.

29. A composition useful as a hot melt adhesive or component thereof comprising a lower alkyl glycoside, dextrose, and a polysaccharide derived from starch selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized converted starches, cold-water soluble dextrins, and maltodextrins, and mixtures of more than one of such members of said group, wherein:
(i) the amounts of dextrose and lower alkyl glycoside are sufficient to provide a flowable melt of said composition, (ii) the amount of said lower alkyl glycoside is sufficient in relation to the amount of dextrose in said composition to impart to said composition resistance to adhesive failure when used as a hot melt adhesive under conditions of elevated humidity, and (iii) the degree of polymerization and the amount of said polysaccharide are sufficient to tackify said melt, but is insufficient to prevent said melt from flowing.

30. A composition of Claim 29 wherein said lower alkyl glycoside is a lower alkyl glucoside.

31. A composition of Claim 29 wherein said lower alkyl glycoside is methyl glucoside.

32. A composition of Claim 29 wherein said pre-gelatinized converted starches have a weight average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 15,000 g/mole, said cold-water soluble dextrins have a weight average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 15,000 g/mole, and said maltodextrins have a weight average molecular weight of from about 4,000 g/mole to about 250,000 g/mole.

33. A composition of Claim 29 wherein said minor amount of said polysaccharide is from about 15% to about 35% by weight of said composition.

34. A composition of Claim 29 wherein said composition forms a melt having a dynamic viscosity of not more than about 50,000 cps when measured at 135°C.

35. A composition of Claim 29 wherein said composition forms a melt having a dynamic viscosity of not more than about 10,000 cps when measured at 135°C.

36. A composition of Claim 29 wherein the weight ratio of the amount of said lower alkyl glycoside to the amount of said dextrose is from about 1:1 to about 5:1.

37. A composition of Claim 29 wherein said composition has a moisture content of no more than about 15% by weight.

38. A composition of Claim 29 wherein said composition has a moisture content of less than 5% by weight.

39. A composition of Claim 29 wherein said composition is a homogeneous melt-processed blend of said lower alkyl glycoside said dextrose and said polysaccharide.

40. A composition of Claim 29 further comprising a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point within the range of about 100°C to about 200°C in an amount less than about 50% by weight of said composition.

41. A method of adhering a cellulosic material to another substrate comprising interposing a melt of the composition of Claim 29 between a cellulosic material and a substrate such that the cellulosic material and substrate are in contact with said melt and cooling said melt while in contact with said cellulosic material and said substrate.

42. A method of manufacturing a shaped article comprising melting a composition of Claim 29 shaping said melt into the form of an article and cooling said melt while in the shape of said article.

43. An article of manufacture produced by the method of Claim 29.

44. A composition useful as a hot melt adhesive or component thereof comprising methyl glucoside, dextrose, and a polysaccharide derived from starch selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized converted starches, cold-water soluble dextrins, and maltodextrins, and mixtures of more than one of such members of said group, wherein:
(i) the amounts of dextrose and methyl glucoside total a major amount by weight of said composition and are sufficient to provide a flowable melt of said composition, (ii) the weight ratio of methyl glucoside to dextrose in said composition ranges from about 1:1 to about 5:1, provided that the amount of said methyl glucoside is sufficient in relation to the amount of dextrose in said composition to impart to said composition resistance to adhesive failure when used as a hot melt adhesive under conditions of elevated humidity, and (iii) said polysaccharide is present in an amount of from about 15% to about 35% by weight of the composition and the degree of polymerization and the amount of said polysaccharide are sufficient to tackify said melt, but are sufficient to provide said melt with a dynamic viscosity of more than about 10,000 cps when measured at 135°C.