Northwest Coatings Awarded Patent on Laminated Label Technology
Press release from the issuing company
Oak Creek, WI - March 7, 2003 -- Northwest Coatings has been awarded US Patent number 6,472,056. This patent covers UV/EB laminated labels for use on pharmaceutical and food grade products. Prior to this invention the migration of adhesive components was found to be an issue for UV laminated pressure sensitive paper labels used on HDPE containers stored for long periods under non-refrigerated conditions. In some cases laminating adhesive components were identified as the source of tainted odor and taste in products such as bottled water. One monomer that was linked to taste and odor problems was HDODA. While it is a fairly simple matter to remove HDODA from a UV laminating adhesive, it was found that many types of common monomers used to replace HDODA could also migrate through polyolefin containers.
Northwest Coatings discovered new monomer technology that was highly resistant to migration through the containers. In addition to low migration properties, these adhesives provide excellent bonding and very low odor characteristics. This patented technology is being used in a family of Northwest Coatings UV and EB laminating adhesive products including 15615LA. This adhesive is now being specified by a number of converters of bottled water labels.
In addition to use in label applications, converters are showing strong interest in these adhesives for flexible packaging applications. Northwest Coatings has additional patents pending covering these packaging applications.