Abstract: Sterilization indicator tapes utilizing moisture-resistant, water-dispersible, pressure sensitive adhesives are provided. The indicator tapes comprise a non-water-dispersible backing having a sterilization indicator thereon, which is coated on at least one side with the moisture-resistant, water-dispersible, pressure sensitive adhesive. The indicator tapes are useful to maintain a sterilization wrapper containing articles to be sterilized in a closed position during sterilization, and normal pre- and post-sterilization handling, while also providing a means to indicate if the wrapped articles have passed through a sterilization cycle. After use, the adhesives coating the indicator tapes disperse in aqueous alkali solutions, such as are found in commercial laundries, while the backing remains intact. Methods of making and using the indicator tapes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical tape comprising a highly conformable and deformable nonwoven web coated with an adhesive. The non-adhesive side of the web may be heat bonded to many different polymeric film materials and is particularly useful with ostomy pouch films. The present invention also provides ostomy bags comprising an elastic, breathable nonwoven based medical tape.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive which is dispersible at an alkaline pH but not at an acidic or a neutral pH is disclosed. The adhesive is essentially free from plasticizers (i.e., it contains less than 0.1 part of plasticizer per part of polymer).The polymer is formed from A, B and C monomers. The A monomer is hydrophobic and is an acrylic or methacrylic ester of a non-tertiary C.sub.2 -C.sub.14 alcohol. It comprises from 50 to 80 weight % of the polymer.The B monomer contains .beta.-carboxyethyl acrylate (BCEA) or a salt thereof or a mixture of BCEA or a salt thereof with a vinyl carboxylic acid or a salt thereof. The polymer contains from 10 to 30 weight % of B monomer. The acid groups of the polymer have been neutralized with from 0.5 to 2 equivalents of an alkali metal hydroxide.The C monomer is an X--Y--Z macromer. X is copolymerizable with the A and B monomers. Y is a divalent linking group.

Abstract: A moldable, putty-like adhesive mass is disclosed comprising a blend of (1) an acrylate terpolymer adhesive containing a hydrophilic macromolecular moiety and (2) a reinforcing material which is a carbonylamido group containing polymer. The adhesive blends are moisture vapor permeable and non-water swellable. They are useful in many medical applications.