Cross-linkable thixotropic wood adhesive gel

Abstract: A cross-linkable water-based wood adhesive comprised of a critical mixture of from 0.10 to 0.75 by weight of a water-soluble, high-viscosity thickening agent polymer such as hydroxyethylcellulose, 0.05 - 0.40% by weight of a defoamer to dissipate foam quickly during manufacture, 25.00 to 45.00% by weight of solids of a self-cross-linking polyvinyl acetate polymer (treated with N-methylolacrylamide) dispersed in water, the polymer having a molecular weight of about 30,000 to about 300,000, 1.00 - 3.00% by weight of a plasticizer/coalescing agent such as 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3 pentanediol monoisobutyrate, 0.50 to 1.00% of an acidic catalyst, such as aluminum chloride, 4.00 to 12% by weight of fine particle-size wood fibers (soft or hard wood fibers or a mixture of both) and 0.10% by weight of a preservative. The viscosity of this adhesive gel will "break-down" when its container, e.g. a squeeze-bottle or flexible tube is finger-pressed resulting in a sufficiently low viscosity to allow for easy extrusion from the small orifices, approximately 0.10 inch diameter or a rectangular slit opening such as approximately 1/16" wide by 5/16" long of the adhesive application tips attached to such squeeze-bottles and flexible tubes. When pressure is released after the desired amount of adhesive flows out of the container, the adhesive quickly reverts very closely to its original gel state so that it will not "run" on vertical surfaces nor "spill" when used as a general purpose wood adhesive. This adhesive has sufficient wet tack to hold two pieces of wood together while still allowing repositioning of the pieces of wood before drying. In addition, since this product contains real wood fibers, its dry film is stainable and easy to sand.

Description: Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to thixotropic adhesive gels having a cellulosic fiber filler, such as fine particle size soft or hard wood fibers, or mixtures thereof. The fiber fillers are present in an amount sufficient to impart sandability and stainability to the adhesive gels. Superior water resistance can be imparted to the gel by using as a component thereof a self-cross-linking polyvinyl acetate polymer. 2. Background of the Invention A thixotropic adhesive composition disclosed in JP-A-57108175 comprises polyvinyl acetate polymer, in organic solvent solution, calcium carbonate, talc and a thixotropic property-imparting agent.. The present inventors have previously disclosed in US Patents 5,284,897, 5,306,749 and EP-A-0629675 thixotropic adhesive gels having sufficiently low viscosity to allow for easy extrusion from orifices having a diameter of 0.06 to 0.15 inches (1.52-3.81mm) in a flexible tube or squeeze bottle containing such gels. Although such gels have desirable properties, such as good weatherability, the need still exists for a thixotropic adhesive gel having good weatherability and in addition, improved water resistance. Thus, despite the existence of many different general purpose adhesives for wood, the need continues for a thixotropic adhesive gel which can be easily dispensed from hand-held containers, such as flexible tube or squeeze bottles, which adhesive, after being dispensed, does not run on vertical surfaces, forms a dry glue line which can be sanded and stained, and has improved resistance to moisture. Summary of the Invention A thixotropic adhesive gel is provided which contains a self-crosslinking, polyvinyl acetate polymer, an acidic cross-linking catalyst and cellulose fiber filler. The gel may also contain a thickener, a defoamer, optionally a plasticizer/coalescing agent, and a preservative. The cellulose fiber filler preferably comprises wood fibers, although other cellulosic fibers can be used. The invention is also directed to an article of manufacture, e.g., a flexible tube or squeeze bottle having an orifice and containing the thixotropic adhesive gel of the invention. The viscosity of the adhesive gel of the invention is sufficiently great that it will not "flow" through the orifice under gravity and hence will not "spill" from its container. However, due to its thixotropic properties, the viscosity of the adhesive gel will break down when finger pressure is applied to its container so that it will have a sufficiently low viscosity to allow for easy, steady, and continuous extrusion from a small orifice, such as one having a diameter of approximately 0.10 inch (2.54mm) or a rectangular slit opening such as one approximately 1/16 inch (1.59mm) wide by 5/16 inches (7.94mm) long. When pressure is released after the desired amount of adhesive flows out of the container, the adhesive quickly reverts very closely to its original gel state so that it will not "run" on vertical surface nor "spill" when used as a general purpose wood adhesive. The adhesive has sufficient wet tack to hold two pieces of wood together while still allowing repositioning of the pieces of wood before drying. A method of making the adhesive gel of the invention is also disclosed. Additional aspects of the invention will be evident from a reading of the entire specification and claims. Detailed Description of the Invention The adhesives of the invention are preferably aqueous dispersions, also referred to herein as emulsions, which contain a self-cross-linking polyvinyl acetate polymer. "Polymer" as used herein includes homopolymers as well as copolymers or terpolymers formed by polymerization with other monomers, oligomers or polymers. The gel preferably includes a thickener of a non-ionic, water-soluble, high viscosity thickening agent. A defoamer can be included to dissipate foam quickly during manufacture of the adhesive. When packaged the adhesive gel preferably includes a preservative, such as a microbicide and/or fungicide. A midewcide can also be included. A plasticizer/coalescing agent is also preferably included. As the acidic cross-linking catalyst, acidic metal cross-linking catalysts are preferred. A particularly preferred catalyst is aluminium chloride. Water can optionally be added, either initially or after admixture of all other components, to adjust the proportion of ingredients, as well as viscosity. The adhesive gels of the invention have a viscosity of 15,000 cP to 350,000 cP (15 to 350 Pa s) at 25°C and preferably 30,500 cP to 120,000 cP (30.5 to 120 Pa s), most preferably 40,000 cP to 47,000 cP (40 to 47 Pa s) at 25°C as measured with an RVF Brookfield viscometer by use of a number 6 spindle at 2 RPM (revolutions per minute). When measured at 20 RPM with an RVF Brookfield viscometer at 25°C by use of a number 6 spindle, the viscosity is 10,000 cP to 50,000 cP (10 to 50 Pa s), preferably 14,000 cP to 35,000 cP (14 to 35 Pa s), most preferably 14,500 to 25,500 cP (14.5 to 25.5 Pa s) provided that the thixotropic index is within the ranges set forth herein. It is further preferred that the viscosity of the adhesive gel (Brookfield RVF number 6 spindle at 25°C) at 2 RPM is not greater than 90,000 cP (90 Pas) one month after preparation. Thixotropic index as used herein should be about 1.5 to 7, preferably 2 to 5 and is determined by dividing the viscosity of the gel at 2 RPM by the viscosity of the gel at 20 RPM at 25°C as measured with an RVF Brookfield viscometer using a number 6 spindle. Polyvinyl Acetate The adhesive agent used in this invention is principally polyvinyl acetate polymer. Polyvinyl acetate polymer is readily commercially available as an aqueous dispersion or emulsion and can be readily made by polymerization techniques known in the art using free radical or redox catalysts such as taught in US Patent 4,085,074 and its Reissue Patent 30,576. Preferably the polyvinyl acetate polymer of this invention is copolymerized with an N-alkylol derivative of an amide of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as N-methylol acrylamide. The composition usually contains 25% to 45% of this cross-linkable polyvinyl acetate polymer. The polyvinyl acetate polymer has preferably a molecular weight (MW) which is typically in the range of 30,000 to 300,000, preferably 50,000 to 200,000. Although the solids content and viscosity of the emulsion can vary typical total solids content can be 40% to 65% by weight of the polyvinyl acetate polymer emulsion. The typical physical properties and general information of one type of polyvinyl acetate emulsion used by us are found in Table I: Solids 50.0 to 52.5% Viscosity 6,000 to 10,000 cP (6 to 10 Pa s) pH 4.0 to 5.0 Weight/gallon 9.1 lb. (4.13 kg) Residual Monomer 0.09 Max. % Appearance Milky White Liquid Particle Size Average Less than 1 Microns Surfactant System Nonionic Surface Tension 46 Dynes/cm Mechanical Stability Excellent Freeze-Thaw Stability Do Not Freeze Other Information Borax Incompatible Typical Polymer Film Properties Film Stiff, Cloudy Tg +40 degrees C The emulsion of Table I includes polyvinyl alcohol. However, if the polyvinyl acetate emulsions are initially prepared from polyvinyl acetate polymer, stabilizers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (or partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol) can be introduced into the polyvinyl acetate emulsion in amounts sufficient to achieve stabilization of the emulsion. Thickening Agent The adhesive gel of the present invention preferably comprises a thickening agent. The present inventors have found that a non-ionic , water soluble polymer of high viscosity is particularly suitable as a thickening agent, although other water soluble thickening agents can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, xanthan gum may be used as a thickening agent provided that aluminium chloride is not used as a catalyst. The particular preferred thickening agent is a hydroxyethyl ether of cellulose (hydroxyethylcellulose) having a typical viscosity (Brookfield at 25°C cellulose at 1 % concentration) of 3,400 to 5,000 cP (3.4 to 5 Pa s) and a molecular weight (determined by intrinsic viscosity measurements) of 1.2 x 10 6 . Such a product, hydroxethylcellulose (HEC), is commercially available under various viscosity grades, such as from 1,500 to 5,000 cP (1.5 to 5 Pa s) measured at a 1 % concentration by Brookfield viscometer at 25°C. The molecular weight of such HEC can also vary with the range of 1.0 x 10 6 to 1.3 x 10 6 . Carboxymethyl cellulose and alginates are not operable in the invention. The thickener when used is typically present in an amount from 0.10 to 0.75% by weight, preferably 0.10 to 0.35% by weight. Most preferably not more than 0.3% thickener is included in the adhesive gel of the invention in order to maximise water resistance. Suitable HEC products are available under the NATROSOL® trademark. The Defoamer The process of producing the adhesive gels of the present invention can produce a relatively great amount of foam. A defoaming agent is preferably included to quickly dissipate any such produced foam. Many defoaming agents are known for use in connection with industrial foam or frothing problems. One suitable agent we have used is a material known as Colloid 581™ available from Colloids, Inc., 394 Frelinghuysen Avenue, Newark, NJ, which is a non-ionic based, water dispersible, water-free, defoaming agent effective in low concentrations. We have found that foaming during the process of making the adhesive gel of the invention can be controlled with 0.05 to 0.40% (by weight) of such a defoaming agent. The Cross-Linking Catalyst Acidic catalysts such as AlCl 3 ,Al(NO 3 ) 3 , CrCl 3 and Cr(NO 3 ) 3 are known to cross-link polyvinyl acetate (See US Patent 4,085,074 and its Reissue Patent 30,576 referred to above). Other catalysts such as ammonium chloride or dilute HCI can also be used. However, in the present invention aluminium chloride (AlCl 3 ) is preferred. Aluminium chloride as a catalyst gives a fast cure and provides a good shelf life. By contrast, a polyvinyl acetate which includes a glyoxal, as in our prior US Patent 5,306,749, does not possess the degree of water resistance properties after drying as did a cross-linked polyvinyl acetate polymer according to the present invention; See Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. Sufficient acidic material is added to reach a pH of 2 to 4, preferably 2.5 to 3.5. When using aluminium chloride as the catalyst amounts of 0.30% to 1.25% by weight, preferably 0.50 to 1.00% by weight, of the composition have been found to be adequate. Plasticizing/Coalescing Agent The preferred cross-linking polyvinyl acetate polymer (treated with N-methylol acrylamide) in the following Examples has a glass transition temperature of about 40°C. Since such glass transition temperature is about ambient, e.g. above room temperature, a coalescing agent is needed to bring the glass transition temperature down to ambient (or room temperature). However the coalescing agent can be dispensed with if lower molecular weight polymer, or finer (smaller) particle sizes, or both, are employed. Suitable coalescing agents are butyl benzyl phthalate; dibutyl phthalate; tricresyl phosphate, glycol ethers and the like. We have found that an ester alcohol, i.e., 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentane diol monoisobutyrate (commercially available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., Kingsport, Tennessee, under the Trademark, TEXANOL™, is particularly preferred. Other coalescing agents, such as dipropylene glycol dibenzoate; dibutylphthalate; diethylphthalate and dimethylphthalate stay in the composition longer, and adversely affect the strength of the dried film. They work, but are not preferred. Glycol ethers are operable, but have a bad odor and therefore are also not preferred. When used, the coalescing agent is generally included in amounts ranging from 0.5% to 10.0% by weight, preferably 1.0 to 3.0% by weight. Fiber Filler The adhesive gel preferably includes a cellulosic fibre filler to impart sandability and stainability to the dried film. The particularly preferred fiber filler is of wood and can be that of hardwood, e.g. maple, or soft wood, e.g. pine, or mixtures of hardwood and soft wood. In addition to imparting sandability and stainability to the dried film, the fiber filler permits the attainment of higher viscosity in the composition and a tougher adhesive film during the early stages of cure. Thus, the adhesive film is tougher than the same composition without the fiber filler during the early stages of cure. In other words, the film is "softer" during cure of compositions which do not contain the fiber filler. The preferred wood fiber filler is in finely divided particle form known as wood flour which generally has a particle size (US Standard Sieve series) of less than 10 mesh (2000 microns), and preferably less than 20 mesh (850 microns). Although both hard wood, e.g. maple, and soft wood, e.g. pine, are suitable, the preferred wood flour is that of a soft wood, e.g. pine. The cellulose fibre filler is preferably used in an amount of from 4 to 12% by weight based on the weight of the composition. Water The total quantity of water includes water from the polyvinyl acetate emulsion used in making the adhesive, if the polyvinyl acetate is incorporated in the adhesive as an aqueous emulsion. The total quantity of water can also include additional quantities of water added in the preparation of the adhesive as well as that carried by the component ingredients. The quantity of water will generally vary from 40% to 85% by weight of the adhesive, preferably 45% to 75% and particularly 50% to 65%. Preservative If the adhesive gel of the present invention is to be packaged, it is preferable to add a preservative. Particularly preferred is a microbicide for the control of bacteria and fungi. Suitable materials are readily commercially available, such as the industrial preservatives sold under the trademark KATHON®LX and LX 1.5% from Rohm and Haas Company. The active ingredients in such preservatives are 5-chlor-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one. Other materials, such as 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one are sold under the trademark SKANE® M-8 by Rohm and Haas Company as a mildewcide can also be included in the composition. When used the preservative (or combination of preservatives) are each incorporated in an amount preferably not exceeding 0.10% by weight of the composition. The Package The package for the thixotropic adhesive gel of the present invention can be a conventional, flexible, squeeze bottle or collapsible tube. Such packages are generally well known in the art and made of various materials such as plastics, e.g. low density polyethylene. The collapsible tube may even be made of a malleable metal. However, in such a case the contents of the package will not be visible. Thus, to impart the ability to see the contents of the package it may be desirable to make the package of a translucent or transparent plastic material. Illustratively, a squeeze bottle, such as one having a capacity of 4 fluid ounces (113.64cm 3 ), is the plastic squeeze bottle used for ELMER'S SCHOOL GLUE of Borden, Inc. Such dispensers are shown in our above-mentioned US Patent 5,284,897. The dispenser cap orifice has a size which has been designed to allow a steady stream of the contents of the container to be dispensed upon mere finger pressure being applied to the container walls. As discussed herein, the relatively high viscosity of the adhesive gel as packaged in the container breaks down due to its thixotropic properties to allow the gel to steadily flow through the orifice upon mere finger pressure. Suitable orifice openings are approximately 0.06 to 0.15 inches (1.52-3.81mm) in diameter, preferably 0.10 inch (2.54mm) in diameter. Alternatively, the use of a rectangular slit of approximately one sixteenth of an inch (1.59mm) wide by five-sixteenths of an inch (7.94mm) long is appropriate. In order that those skilled in the art may more fully understand the invention presented herein, the following examples and comparative examples are set forth. All parts and percentages in the examples and comparative examples, as well as elsewhere in this application, are stated by weight, unless otherwise specifically stated. The viscosity measurements referred to herein are by use of an RVF Brookfield viscometer with a number 6 spindle at 25°C unless otherwise specifically stated. The term "Low Shear" refers to the viscosity measurements at 2 RPM whereas "High Shear" refers to viscosity measurements taken at 20 RPM. Water resistance tests were performed in the following manner: Each of the samples tested were drawn down with a No. 34 wire-wrapped rod to about a two inch (5.08mm) width band of adhesive film on a glass plate. The drawn down adhesives were permitted to dry by standing at 75°F (23.9°C) and 50% relative humidity for five days. A large drop of deionized water about ½ inch (12.7mm) in diameter was then placed on each film and the area under the drop was examined for water resistance after a period of two hours. The samples were compared in regard to water-resistance by comparing the degree of resistance to dispersing or fracturing of the film when scraped with a thumbnail. Examples The best mode currently known to the inventors for practicing the invention will be found in the following Examples. Example 1 A composition B was made according to the following formula: Comparative Example 1 A composition A was made according to the formula of Example 1 but the acidic catalyst was omitted. It did not cross-link and redispersed readily under the drop of water after drying. Comparative Example 1-A A composition C was made of a blend of 100 grams of components B and an equal amount of composition according to Example 1 of our US Patent 5,306,749. To this composition C was added 8 drops of H 3 PO 4 to lower the pH. Although composition C cross-linked, final water resistance was not as good as composition B. Example 2 A composition D was made according to the following formula: % by Weight Water 18.98 KELZAN 0.25 Colloids-581 0.25 PD-312L 70.00 TEXANOL 1.50 KATHON LX 1.5% 0.10 SKANE M8 0.10 Pine flour 14020 6.12 97.30 Composition D cross-linked and had good water resistance, but not as good as the water resistance of the formulations using AlCl 3 and HEC of Example 6. Comparative Example 2 A composition E, identical to composition D was formulated except that no such catalyst was added. The composition did not cross-link and gave poor water resistance properties. Comparative Example 2-A A composition F was made of a blend of 100 grams of composition D and an equal amount of the composition of Example 1 of our US Patent 5,306,749. 8 drops of H 3 PO 4 were added to reduce the pH to 2.8 to 3.0. Results were similar to that of composition C of Comparative Example 1-A. Example 3 A further composition G was made which includes some partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (VINOL-840) to study its affect upon the adhesive gel according to the following formulation: % by Weight Water 17.98 VINOL-840 1.00 KELZAN 0.25 Colloids-581 0.25 PD-312L 70.00 TEXANOL 1.50 KATHON LX 1.5% 0.10 SKANE M8 0.10 Pine flour 6.12 97.30 A cross-linkable adhesive gel was obtained which had a good water resistance but not as good as the water resistance of the preferred formulation using AlCl 3 and HEC shown in Example 5. Comparative Example 3 and 3-A Composition H and I were made in a manner similar to compositions E and F of Comparative Examples 2 and 2-A except that Composition G was used instead of composition D. Results were similar to the results of Compositions E and F, respectively. Example 4 A composition I was formulated as follows: % by Weight Water 15.16 VINOL-840 1.08 KELZAN 0.24 COLLOIDS-581 0.16 Glyoxal (40% Sol. in water) 0.07 KATHON LX 1.5% 0.07 PD-312L 74.60 TEXANOL 1.67 SKANE M8 0.10 Pine Flour 14020 6.85 Total 100.00 30 drops of H 3 PO 4 were added to 938.15 grams of the composition 1 to yield a pH of 2.76. The solids content was 47.8%. Viscosity of the resulting cross-linked gel was (RVF Brookfield-number 6 spindle) was: 2 RPM = 62,500 cP (62.5 Pa s) 20 RPM = 27,750 cP (27.75 Pa s) with a thixotropic index of 2.25. After two days the viscosities were: 2 RPM = 70,000 cP (70 Pa s) 20 RPM = 24,500 cP (24.5 Pa s) with a thixotropic index of 2.9. The above composition I still contained glyoxal as well as xanthan gum as a thickener and although water resistance was achieved it was not as water resistant as composition in Example 5. Example 5 The two best modes known to the inventors at the time of preparing this application for carrying out the invention are embodied in compositions J and JA having the following formulas: % by Weight J JA (1) PD-312 L Emulsion 75.82 73.48 (2) TEXANOL 1.66 1.60 (3) Aluminium Chloride (28% Sol. in Water) 2.89 2.80 (4) Colloids 581 0.10 0.10 (5) KATHON LX 1.5% 0.10 0.10 (6) SKANE-M8 0.10 0.10 (7) Pine Flour 14020 6.50 6.29 (8) NATROSOL 250 HHXR (3% Sol. in Water) 10.33 10.00 (9) Water (Adjusting) 2.50 5.50 100.00 100.00 Viscosity/Brookfield RVF #6 Sp. @ 25°C Initial 2 RPM 45,000 cP (45 Pa s) 32,500 cP (32.5 Pa s) 20 RPM 23,500 cP (23.5 Pa s) 16,500 cP (16.5 Pa s) Thixotropic Index 1.9 1.9 Overnight 2 RPM 45,000 cP (45 Pa s) 30,000 cP (30 Pa s) 20 RPM 22,500 cP (22.5 Pa s) 16,000 cP (16 Pa s) Thixotropic Index 2.0 1.87 After 1 Week 2 RPM 60,000 cP (60 Pa s) 30,000 cP (30 Pa s) 20 RPM 20,500 cP (20.5 Pa s) 14,500 cP (14.5 Pa s) Thixotropic Index 2.9 2.0 After 1 Month 2 RPM 85,000 cP (85 Pa s) 60,000 cP (60 Pa s) 20 RPM 21,000 cP (21 Pa s) 15,000 cP (15 Pa s) Thixotropic Index 4.0 4.0 pH 2.8 2.9 % Solids 49 47 Wt/Gal. 9.2 lb (4.18 kg) 9.1 lb (4.13 kg) Water Resistance Excellent Excellent Both compositions J and JA showed excellent water resistance with a higher degree of resistance to fracturing of their films under the drop after two hours. The manufacturing procedure for composition J and JA is as follows: 1. In a clean dry tank add (1). Start mixer on low speed and add (2), (3) - wear safety glasses and gloves and avoid splashing, (4), (5) and (6), mixing thoroughly after addition of each item. 2. Increase mixing speed to moderate and add (7) in increments allowing wood fibers to mix thoroughly after each addition. 3. Add (8) in increments and continue to mix until the batch is homogeneous. Remove a sample for quality control check. 4. After quality control check, adjust viscosity with (9) as necessary. Composition J and JA can be packaged in polyethylene squeeze bottles. Comparative Example 5 Composition K was made according to the following formulation: % by Weight PD-312L 73.48 TEXANOL 1.60 AlCl 3 (28% in water) 2.80 KATHON LX 1.5% 0.10 SKANE-M8 0.10 Colloids-581 0.10 Water 15.23 Total 93.41% The foregoing composition omits the wood fiber and HEC of compositions J and JA. The composition did not thicken sufficiently. Comparative Example 5-A Composition L was made according to the following formula: % by Weight PD-312L 73.48 TEXANOL 1.60 AlCl 3 (28% in water) 2.80 KATHON LX 1.5% 0.10 SKANE M8 0.10 Colloids 581 0.10 Pine Flour 14020 6.29 Water 15.23 Total 99.70% The foregoing composition includes wood fibres but omits the HEC of compositions J and JA. The composition did not thicken sufficiently. Comparative Example 5-B Composition M was made according to the following formula: % by Weight PD-312L 73.48 TEXANOL 1.60 AlCl 3 (28% in water) 2.80 KATHON LX 1.5% 0.10 SKANE M8 0.10 Colloids-581 0.10 NATROSOL 250 HHXR (3% soln) 10.00 Water 5.53 Total 93.71 % Composition M contains the same proportions of components as does composition JA but omits the wood fibers. The inventors have found that the wood fibers contribute to the formation of the gel, allow for easier sanding and staining, and the absence of the fiber filler is thus undesirable.

Claims: A thixotropic adhesive gel comprising a self-cross-linking polyvinyl acetate polymer, an acidic cross-linking catalyst and a cellulose fiber filler. The adhesive gel of claim 1 wherein the self-cross-linking polyvinyl acetate polymer is copolymerized with N-methylol acrylamide. The adhesive gel of claim 1 further comprising a water-soluble high viscosity thickener. The adhesive gel of claim 1 wherein said acidic cross-linking catalyst is an acidic metal cross-linking catalyst. The thixotropic adhesive gel of claim 1 further comprising a plasticizer/coalescing agent. The adhesive gel of claim 1 further comprising a defoamer. The adhesive gel of claim 1 further comprising a preservative. A package containing a thixotropic self-cross-linkable adhesive gel, said package comprising a sealed flexible container having an orifice opening, said thixotropic adhesive gel comprising a self-cross-linking polyvinyl acetate polymer, an acidic cross-linking catalyst and a cellulose fiber filler, said adhesive gel having a sufficiently high viscosity as to not flow through said orifice at atmospheric pressure but flowable through said orifice under finger pressure applied to said container, said adhesive gel being capable of reverting to substantially its original viscosity upon exiting said orifice, such that it will not run on vertical surfaces nor spill from its package. The package of claim 8, wherein the self-cross-linking polyvinyl acetate polymer comprises polyvinyl acetate copolymerized with N-methylol acrylamide. The package of claim 8, which contains a thixothropic adhesive gel consisting essentially of: a) 0.10 to 0.75% by weight of a water-soluble, high viscosity thickening agent polymer; b) 0.05 to 0.40% by weight of a defoamer; c) 25 to 45% by weight (solids) of a self-cross-linking polyvinyl acetate polymer dispersed in water; d) 0.5 to 10.0% by weight of a plasticizer/coalescing agent; e) 0.50 to 1.00% by weight of acidic cross-linking catalyst; f) 4.00 to 12% by weight of a cellulosic fiber filler; g) 0.10% by weight of a preservative, and h) optionally additional water to total 100%. The package of claim 10 wherein the high viscosity thickening agent copolymer comprises hydroxyethylcellulose; the cellulosic fiber filler comprises fine wood fibers and the acidic catalyst comprises aluminium chloride. The package of claim 11 wherein the self-cross-linking vinyl acetate polymer comprises a vinyl acetate copolymerized with N-methylol acrylamide, dispersed in water, said polymer having a molecular weight from 30,000 to 300,000. The package of claim 12 wherein the plasticizer and coalescing agent is 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3 pentanediol monoisobutyrate. A process for preparing an aqueous self-cross-linking adhesive gel which comprises mixing, by weight: a) from 0.10 to 0.75% of a water-soluble, high viscosity thickening agent; b) from 0.05 to 0.40% of a defoamer; c) from 25.00 to 45.00% (solids) of a vinyl acetate copolymerized with N-methylolacrylamide; dispersed in water; d) from 1.00 to 3.00% of a plasticizer/coalescing agent; e) from 0.50 to 1.00% of acidic cross-linking catalyst; f) from 4.00 to 12% of fine particle-size cellulosic fibers; and, g) about 0.10% of a preservative. The process of claim 14 wherein the water-soluble high viscosity thickening agent is hydroxyethylcellulose; the vinyl acetate copolymer has a molecular weight of from 30,000 to 300,000; the plasticizer/coalescing agent is 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate; the acidic cross-linking catalyst is aluminium chloride and the cellulosic fibers are selected from the group consisting of soft wood fibers, hard wood fibers and mixtures thereof, to form an adhesive gel having a viscosity as prepared (Brookfield RVF, number 6 spindle at 25°C) at 2 RPM between 30,500 and 47,000 cP (30.5-47 Pa s) and at 20 RPM between 14,500 and 25,500 cP (14.5-25.5 Pa s). An adhesive gel produced by the process of claim 15. The adhesive gel of claim 16 wherein the viscosity (Brookfield RVF number 6 spindle at 25°C) at 2 RPM is not over 90,000 cP (90 Pa s) one month after preparation. An adhesive gel composition comprising a self-cross-linkable polyvinyl acetate polymer, an acidic cross-linking catalyst, cellulosic fiber filler and thickening agent, said gel having a thixotropic index of from 1.5 to 7. The adhesive gel of claim 18 wherein the cellulosic fibers are wood fibers having a particle size of less than 2000 microns. The package of claim 8 wherein the adhesive gel has a thixotropic index of from 1.5 to 7.

Inventors: ANDERSON JOHN, COLUMBUS PETER S, PATEL YOGESHBHAI B, ANDERSON, JOHN, COLUMBUS, PETER S., PATEL, YOGESHBHAI B.
Applicants: BORDEN INC, BORDEN CHEMICAL, INC.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: C09J131
IPC codes: C09D131, C08K3, C08L1, C08K7, C09J133, C09J131, C09J101