Packaging adhesive mixtures for controlled gas barrier properties

An aqueous latex adhesive-forming composition comprising a mixture of:

• A) a first aqueous latex acrylic-based adhesive component capable of forming a film with a first oxygen transmission rate when applied at a coating weight of 3.5 lbs/3000 ft2, said first latex adhesive component comprising polymer formed from a monomer mixture comprising between about 40 and about 95 wt % vinylidene chloride, between about 5 and about 60 wt % acrylic monomers, and from 0 to about 55 wt % co-polymerizable vinyl monomers, plus sufficient surfactant to maintain an emulsion of said polymer, and
• B) a second aqueous latex acrylic-based adhesive component capable of forming a film with a second oxygen transmission rate when applied at a coating weight of 3.5 lbs/3000 ft2, said second latex adhesive component comprising polymer formed from between about 50 and about 100 wt % acrylic monomer, balance co-polymerizable vinyl monomer, plus sufficient surfactant to maintain an emulsion of said polymer;
• said first oxygen transmission rate being at least about 50 cc O2/100 in.2/day lower than said second oxygen transmission rate,
• said first and second latex adhesive components being mixed so that the polymer of said first latex adhesive component comprises between about 70 and about 95 wt % of the total polymer of said first and second adhesive components, and the polymer of said second latex adhesive component comprises between about 30 and about 5 wt % of the total polymer of said first and second latex adhesive components, in relative proportions according to the oxygen transmission rate required to form an adhesive composition.