Tacky polymeric microspheres

Claim 2

Infusible, solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, inherently tacky, elastomeric polymeric microspheres formed from non-ionic monomers and comprising a major portion of at least one oleophilic, water-emulsifiable alkyl acrylate or methacrylate ester, said polymeric microspheres having a glass transition temperature below about -20° C., and having been prepared by aqueous suspension polymerization in the presence of at least one anionic emulsifier at a concentration level above said emulsifier's critical micelle concentration and an ionic suspension stabilizer having an interfacial tension of at least about 15.0 dynes per centimeter.

Claim 3

The microspheres of claim 1 wherein said ester is selected from the group consisting of n-butyl acrylate, sec-butyl acrylate, 2-methyl butyl acrylate, 4-methyl-2-pentyl acrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, isodecyl methacrylate.

Claim 4

The microspheres of claim 1 wherein said microspheres are homopolymers and said ester is isooctylacrylate.

Claim 5

An article comprising a substrate having disposed on at least one surface thereon infusible, solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, inherently tacky, elastomeric polymeric microspheres formed from non-ionic monomers and comprising a major portion of at least one oleophilic, water-emulsifiable alkyl acrylate or methacrylate ester, said polymeric microspheres having a glass transition temperature below about -20° C., and having been prepared by aqueous suspension polymerization in the presence of at least one anionic emulsifier at a concentration level above said emulsifier's critical micelle concentration and an ionic suspension stabilizer having an interfacial tension of at least about 15.0 dynes per centimeter.

Claim 6

An article comprising a substrate having disposed on at least one surface thereon infusible, solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, inherently tacky, elastomeric polymeric microspheres formed from non-ionic monomers and comprising a major portion of at least one oleophilic, water-emulsifiable alkyl acrylate or methacrylate ester, said polymeric microspheres having a glass transition temperature below about -20° C., and having been prepared by aqueous suspension polymerization in the presence of at least one anionic emulsifier at a concentration level above said emulsifier's critical micelle concentration and an ionic suspension stabilizer having an interfacial tension of at least about 15.0 dynes per centimeter.

Claim 7

The article of claim 4 wherein said ester is selected from the group consisting of n-butyl acrylate, secbutyl acrylate, 2-methyl butyl acrylate, 4-methyl-2-pentyl acrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, isodecyl methacrylate.

Claim 8

The article of claim 4 wherein said microspheres are homopolymers and said ester is isooctyl acrylate.

Claim 9

A suspension polymerization process for preparing infusible, solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, inherently tacky, elastomeric polymeric microspheres comprising the steps of: (a) charging to a reaction vessel (i) at least one alkyl acrylate or methacrylate ester monomer; and (ii) at least one anionic emulsifier at a concentration above its critical micelle concentration; and (iii) a substantially water-insoluble polymerization initiator; and (iv) an ionic suspension stabilizer, having an interfacial tension of at least about 15.0 dynes per centimeter; (b) agitating the reaction vessel charge to create an emulsion; (c) heating said emulsion while maintaining said agitation; whereby elastomeric, solvent-dispersible polymeric microspheres are formed from said emulsion.

Claim 10

A suspension polymerization process for preparing infusible, solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, inherently tacky, elastomeric polymeric microspheres comprising the steps of: (a) charging to a reaction vessel (i) at least one alkyl acrylate or methacrylate ester monomer; and (ii) at least one anionic emulsifier at a concentration above its critical micelle concentration; and (iii) a substantially water-insoluble polymerization initiator; and (iv) an ionic suspension stabilizer, having an interfacial tension of at least about 15.0 dynes per centimeter; (b) agitating the reaction vessel charge to create an emulsion; (c) heating said emulsion while maintaining said agitation; whereby elastomeric, solvent-dispersible polymeric microspheres are formed from said emulsion.

Claim 11

The process of claim 7 wherein said ester monomer is selected from the group consisting of n-butyl acrylate, sec-butyl acrylate, 2-methyl butyl acrylate, 4-methyl-2-pentyl acrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, isodecyl methacrylate.

Claim 12

The process of claim 7 wherein said initiator is present at from about 0.15 to about 0.66 percent by weight of said monomer.

Claim 13

The process of claim 7 wherein said stabilizer is present at up to about 10 percent of said monomer.