Adhesive layer composition for in-mold decoration

Abstract

This invention relates to compositions suitable for the formation of an adhesive layer used for in-mold decoration.

1 . An adhesive layer for in-mold decoration which comprises an adhesive binder and a polymeric particulate material.  
   
   
       2 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  wherein said adhesive binder is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylics, SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber), polybutadiene, polyamides, pyrrolidone copolymers, oxazolidone copolymers, vinylidene chloride copolymers, vinylacetate copolymers, polyesters and derivatives or blends thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  wherein said adhesive binder is a polyurethane, acrylic or a hybrid thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  wherein said adhesive binder is a latex adhesive binder or a hydrocarbon dispersion adhesive.  
   
   
       5 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  wherein said adhesive binder takes up about 40% to about 90% by weight of the adhesive layer.  
   
   
       6 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  wherein said polymeric particulate material has a glass transition temperature higher than about 45° C.  
   
   
       7 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  wherein said polymeric particulate material has an average particle size of less than about 1 um.  
   
   
       8 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  wherein said polymeric particulate material takes up about 5 to about 50% by weight of the adhesive layer.  
   
   
       9 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  wherein said polymeric particulate material is refractive index matched to said adhesive binder.  
   
   
       10 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  wherein the difference between refractive indexes of said polymeric particulate material and said adhesive binder is less than about 0.1.  
   
   
       11 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  wherein said polymeric particulate material is core-shell particles.  
   
   
       12 . The adhesive layer of  claim 11  wherein said shell has a glass transition temperature of higher than about 45° C.  
   
   
       13 . The adhesive layer of  claim 11  wherein said core is refractive index matched to the shell or a blend of the shell and the adhesive binder.  
   
   
       14 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  further comprising an inorganic particulate material.  
   
   
       15 . The adhesive layer of  claim 14  wherein said inorganic particulate material is CaCO 3 , BaSO 4 , silica, glass beads, bentonite or clay.  
   
   
       16 . The adhesive layer of  claim 14  wherein said inorganic particulate material takes up about 1 to about 20% by weight of the adhesive layer.  
   
   
       17 . The adhesive layer of  claim 14  wherein said inorganic particulate material has an average particle size of less than about 0.2 um.  
   
   
       18 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  further comprising an organic or inorganic particulate material.  
   
   
       19 . The adhesive layer of  claim 18  wherein said organic particulate material is a latex material, organic crystals or a solid plasticizer.  
   
   
       20 . The adhesive layer of  claim 18  wherein said inorganic particulate material is CaCO 3 , BaSO 4 , silica, glass beads, bentonite or clay.  
   
   
       21 . The adhesive layer of  claim 18  wherein said organic or inorganic particulate material takes up about 0.2 to about 5% by weight of the adhesive layer.  
   
   
       22 . The adhesive layer of  claim 18  wherein said organic or inorganic particulate material has an average particle size in the range of about 0.5 to about 6 um.  
   
   
       23 . An adhesive layer for in-mold decoration which comprises an adhesive binder, a polymeric particulate material, an organic or a first inorganic particulate material and a second inorganic particulate material.  
   
   
       24 . The adhesive layer of  claim 23  wherein said first and second inorganic particulate materials are independently CaCO 3 , BaSO 4 , silica, glass beads, bentonite or clay.  
   
   
       25 . The adhesive layer of  claim 23  wherein said organic or first inorganic particulate material has an average particle size in the range of about 0.5 to about 6 um.  
   
   
       26 . The adhesive layer of  claim 23  wherein said second inorganic particulate material has an average particle size smaller than about 0.2 um.  
   
   
       27 . The adhesive layer of  claim 23  wherein the total concentration of said inorganic particulate material(s) is about 5 to about 50% by weight.  
   
   
       28 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  which is dispersed in a carrier.  
   
   
       29 . The adhesive layer of  claim 28  wherein said carrier is water or a hydrocarbon solvent.  
   
   
       30 . The adhesive layer of  claim 1  further comprising a solid plasticizer.