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: 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: 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 pressure sensitive adhesive composition is described which is water-dispersible under acidic conditions. The composition comprises a terpolymer of a hydrophobic monomeric acrylic or methacrylic ester of a non-tertiary alcohol (monomer A); a polar monomer copolymerizable with said A monomer and having carboxylic, sulfonic acid or hydroxyl functionality or combinations thereof (monomer B); and a water soluble or water-dispersible macromolecular monomer of the formula X--Y--Z which is copolymerizable with A and B wherein X is a copolymerizable moiety containing a double bond, Y is a divalent linking group and Z is a water-dispersible polymeric moiety (monomer C). The combined acid groups employed in the B monomer are neutralized from 5 to 100% based on the total amount of acid groups in B. The composition further comprises tackifier and/or plasticizers at a level such that the ratio of terpolymer to additives falls within a range of from 0.2:1 to 5:1.

Abstract: A method of using a pressure sensitive adhesive to form a moisture resistant, water-dispersible tape is provided. The adhesive and tape are resistant to autoclavation conditions and/or moisture and body fluids during usage, and are water-dispersible when immersed in aqueous solutions. The tape may be used with cloth body coverings, such as garments such as hospital gowns, drapes, dressings, diapers and other body coverings which require cloth to cloth or cloth to skin adhesion in the presence of moisture and bodily fluids yet be dispersible from such body coverings during laundering or other aqueous alkali immersion.

Abstract: A method of using a pressure sensitive adhesive to form a moisture resistant, water-dispersible tape is provided. The adhesive and tape are resistant to autoclavation conditions and/or moisture and body fluids during usage, and are water-dispersible when immersed in aqueous solutions. The tape may be used with cloth body coverings, such as garments such as hospital gowns, drapes, dressings, diapers and other body coverings which require cloth to cloth or cloth to skin adhesion in the presence of moisture and bodily fluids yet be dispersible from such body coverings during laundering or other aqueous alkali immersion.