Patent ID: 8226974

Claim:
A method for the manufacture of a transdermal therapeutic system with nicotine content, said system comprising a backing layer impermeable to nicotine, a first matrix layer immediately adjacent to the backing layer, a second matrix layer, and a peelable protective layer adjacent to the second matrix layer, the total thickness of the backing layer and first and second matrix layers does not exceed 250 μm and the nicotine-content is at least 1.5 mg per cm 2 of application surface, said method comprising coating the second matrix layer onto the peelable protective layer, applying the first matrix layer to a portion of the second matrix layer using printing technology, said second matrix layer forming an external margin around the first intermediate matrix layer, mechanically laminating the backing layer onto the applied first matrix layer and the external margin formed by the second matrix layer, and establishing nicotine equilibrium within the layers, wherein the matrix layers do not include non-woven; the first matrix layer consists of (i) 60 to 80% (w/w) nicotine and (ii) a methacrylate copolymer thickener, the second matrix layer as-applied consists of (i) (meth)acrylate copolymer adhesive consisting entirely of crosslinkable acrylate copolymers having an acid value of from 20 to 100 mg KOH per gram of polymer, (ii) crosslinker, (iii) a neutralization reagent, (iv) hydroabsorbent, and (v) methacrylate copolymer thickener.