GB2385855A

GB2385855A - Adhesive comprising additive which responds to irradiation

Info

Publication number: GB2385855A
Application number: GB0204526A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Halstead
Original assignee: POLYFLOR Ltd
Current assignee: POLYFLOR Ltd
Priority date: 2002-02-27
Filing date: 2002-02-27
Publication date: 2003-09-03
Also published as: GB0204526D0

Abstract

An adhesive comprising a chemical agent operative to respond visually under radiation of a given wavelength. The chemical agent is preferably a heteroaromatic dye selected from oxazole, fluoroscein, quinine, acridine orange, rose bengal and phenanthrene-type dyes, which fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The adhesive may be based upon unsaturated carboxylic acids, epoxy or rubber and may also contain curing agents. The adhesive compositions of the invention are especially used to affix flooring materials and fluoresce to ascertain the source and quality of the adhesive.

Description

AN ADHESIVE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD OF IDENTIFICATION The present invention relates to a method of identifying an adhesive.

The adhesive is intended particularly, but not exclusively, for affixing resilient floor coverings to the floor it covers.

All resilient flooring manufacturers need to ensure that product traceability is in place.

Specific glues may be recommended that have very similar formulations but often the product is fitted using cheaper adhesives again of almost identical formulations. However, these cheaper glues are not subject to the higher quality controls and consistency of the major manufacturers e. g. F Ball and Laybrand. This may lead to problems and in some cases to failure of the adhesive and separation of the covering from the floor. Resilient flooring manufacturers therefore often spend considerable time and effort to prove the glue used. Given the very similar formulations this is expensive. In many cases it is inconclusive and reliance has to be placed on other evidence such as receipts from the contractor for purchases of glue.

In short product traceability and IS09002 quality audit trails place a need for product identification.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adhesive for use in affixing a floor covering to a floor to which an

identifying chemical agent operative to respond visually under radiation of a given wavelength.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of identifying an adhesive including the steps of introducing a chemical agent into. the adhesive irradiating the adhesive and the agent and visually monitoring the response.

Although any suitable adhesive may be used in the invention particularly suitable adhesives include those derived from unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid or those based on an epoxy resin system. Adhesives comprising an epoxide further require a curing agent.

Suitable curing agents include aromatic or aliphatic amines.

Suitable chemical agents include those which respond visually when they are irradiated by UV light. Typically, organic aromatic and heteroaromatic systems will give rise to fluorescence when irradiated with UV light. Suitable examples of the chemical agent include, but is not limited to, oxazole containing species, fluoroscein, quinine, acridine orange, rose bengal, and phenanthrene.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive is a water based polymer or a rubber based latex. A specific example of an adhesive

formulation :

Acylic Polymer Emulsion 100 pbw Tackifying Resin Emulsion 10 pbw Filler (calcium Carbonate) 45 pbw Sodium Hydroxide 10 pbw Thickening Agent 3 pbw Bacteria/Fungistat 0.3 pbw UV Chemical Tracer 0.1 pbw (pbw (parts by weight) Other additives and fillers may be introduced to secure specific properties.

As indicated the chemical agent may be chosen to respond visually when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. A specific example of a chemical agent is :- 2t5-thiophenediylbis (5-tert-butyl-1t3-benzoxazole} sold under the trade name Uvitex OB and manufactured by Ciba Speciality Chemicals.

Advantageously, the response of the agent is to fluoresce. The wavelength of the ultraviolet light is preferably in the range 315 to 400 nanometres (nm).

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one embodiment of the invention will now be described.

The floor covering adhesive to be used, which may be a water based polymer or a rubber based latex, is mixed with a chemical agent.

The proportion of agent to adhesive is chosen to give an adequate visual

response as described below. Under normal lighting conditions, the chemical agent is colourless and the adhesive appears as if there is no additive. After adding agent to the adhesive the adhesive is applied and used in the normal way. Should the adhesive fail, or need to be examined subsequently for other reasons, it is irradiated with ultraviolet light in the wavelength 315 to 400 nanometres (nm). The chemical agent in the adhesive responds to this irradiation by fluorescing thus visually identifying the adhesive used. The colour of the fluorescing is white.

In a specific example, the adhesive comprises the formulation :-

Acylic Polymer Emulsion 100 pbw Tackifying Resin Emulsion 10 pbw Filler (calcium Carbonate) 45 pbw Sodium Hydroxide 10 pbw Thickening Agent 3 pbw Bacteria/Fungistat 0.3 pbw UV Chemical Tracer 0.1 pbw (pbw (parts by weight) and the chemical agent is :- 2, 5-thiophenediylbis (5-tert-butyl-1, 3-benzoxazole) sold under the trade name Uvitex OB and manufactured by Ciba Speciality Chemicals.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An adhesive for use in affixing a floor covering to a floor to which an identifying chemical agent operative to respond visually under radiation of a given wavelength.

2. An adhesive as claimed in claim 1, based upon an unsaturated carboxylic acid.

3. An adhesive as claimed in claim 1, based upon an epoxy resin system.

4. An adhesive as claimed in claim 3, in which the resin system includes a curing agent.

5. An adhesive as claimed in claim 4, in which the curing agent is an aromatic amine.

6. An adhesive as claimed in claim 5, in which the curing agent is an aliphatic amine.

7. An adhesive as claimed in claim 1, in which the adhesive is a water based polymer.

8. An adhesive as claimed in claim 1, in which the adhesive is a rubber based latex.

9. An adhesive as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the identifying chemical agent is operative to respond to UV light.

10. An adhesive as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the identifying chemical agent is an organic aromatic system.

11. An adhesive as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the identifying chemical agent is an organic heteroaromatic system.

12. An adhesive as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the identifying chemical agent is oxazole containing species.

13. An adhesive as claimed in any preceding claim in which the identifying chemical agent is fluoroscein.

14. An adhesive as claimed in any preceding claim in which the identifying chemical agent is quinine.

15. An adhesive as claimed in any preceding claim in which the identifying chemical agent is acridine orange.

16. An adhesive as claimed in any preceding claim in which the identifying chemical agent is rose bengal.

17. An adhesive as claimed in any preceding claim in which the identifying chemical agent is phenanthrene.

18. An adhesive substantially as hereinbefore described in the examples given in the specification.

19. A method of identifying an adhesive including the steps of introducing a chemical agent into the adhesive irradiating the adhesive and the agent and visually monitoring the response.

20. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the adhesive is irradiated with ultraviolet light.