# US 5,066,711 A · Wetness indicating hot-melt adhesives

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,066,711 A
- Document ID: US5066711A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/437,471
- Filed: 1989-11-15
- Granted: 1991-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 1986-03-17
- Assignees: The International Group, Inc.
- Inventors: Herman Colon; Albert Maletsky
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5066711A

## CPC

- A61L 15/58: Adhesives
- A61F 13/15: Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F 13/42: with wetness indicator or alarm
- A61L 15/34: Oils, fats, waxes or natural resins {(A61L15/225 takes precedence)}
- A61L 15/56: Wetness-indicators or colourants
- C09J 123/0869: {Acids or derivatives thereof}
- C09J 139/06: Homopolymers or copolymers of N-vinyl-pyrrolidones
- A61F 2013/427: {pH indicator}
- C08L 23/0853: Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers
- C08L 23/0869: with unsaturated acids, e.g. [meth]acrylic acid; with unsaturated esters, e.g. [meth]acrylic acid esters
- C08L 77/00: Compositions of polyamides obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic amide link in the main chain (of polyhydrazides C08L79/06; of polyamideimides or polyamide acids C08L79/08); Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
- C08L 91/06: Waxes
- C08L 2666/02: Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials
- C08L 2666/06: Homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated hydrocarbons; Derivatives thereof
- C08L 2666/34: Oxygen-containing compounds, including ammonium and metal salts
- C09J 2301/304: the adhesive being heat-activatable, i.e. not tacky at temperatures inferior to 30°C
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- C09J: ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES (preparation of glue or gelatine C09H)
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)

## Abstract

A wetness indicating hot-melt adhesive which changes color in response to the presence of moisture is disclosed, which contains 20 to 70 wt. % of polymer, about 28 to 10 wt. % of which is water sensitive polymer; 25 to 60% of organic acid which is selected from a high acid fatty acid, or rosin acid, or a combination thereof; 0 to 40% of water soluble wax; 0 to 60 wt. % of glycerol monostearate; 0 to 55 wt. % of hydrogenated castor oil; 0 to 15 wt. % of polyalkylene wax; 0 to 60 wt. % of compatible plasticizer; and a wetness indicating agent which changes the color of the composition in response to moisture therein. The time of response of the color change can be controlled from about one second to a somewhat larger value as desired.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A wetness indicating hot-melt adhesive composition comprising
(A) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer and ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer;
(B) an acidic material
(C) 0 to 40 wt. % of water soluble wax;
(D) 0 to 60 wt. % of glycerol monostearate;
(E) 0 to 55 wt. % of hydrogenated castor oil;
(F) 0 to 15 wt. % of polyalkylene wax;
(G) 0 to 60 wt. % of compatible plasticizer;
(H) particles of a dyestuff insoluble in the composition but soluble in water, the color of the dyestuff particles being substantially invisible in the composition, whereby when the composition is wet with water the dyestuff particles dissolve in the water and permeate the composition, and
(I) a surfactant.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A composition according to claim 1, wherein the dyestuff is Calcocid Blue 2G.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A fabric covered at least in part with a composition according to claim 1 applied thereto as a hot melt.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A diaper according to claim 3.

### Claim 5

A wetness indicating hot-melt adhesive composition by weight comprising approximately:
(A) 50 to 90% of total polymer components of at least one member selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer and ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer;
(B) 0 to 20% of an acidic higher fatty acid:
(C) 5 to 50% of a water soluble wax;
(D) 0 to 60 % of glycerol monostearate;
(E) 0 to 55% of hydrogenated castor oil;
(F) 0 to 15% of polyalkylene wax;
(G) 0 to 60% of compatible plasticizer;
(H) a wetness indicating agent capable of causing the composition to change color in response to the presence of moisture, in an amount effective to provide the composition with a readily visible color when wet, which is distinct from the color when dry; and
(I) a surfactant.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A composition according to claim 5, wherein at least about 50% by weight of total polymer components comprises ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

A fabric covered at least in part with a composition according to claim 5 applied thereto as a hot melt.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A diaper according to claim 7.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A composition according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate and is present in about one-third to one-quarter the weight of (A).

### Claim 10 (depends on 5)

A composition according to claim 5, wherein the surfactant comprises dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate and is present in about one-third to one-quarter the weight of (A).