Abstract: A tackifier-free, hot melt adhesive composition comprises an amorphous, single site-catalyzed, high molecular weight propylene copolymer, preferably with a weight average molecular weight (Mw) greater than 80,000 g/mol; a semicrystalline, single site-catalyzed, low molecular weight propylene copolymer, preferably with an Mw less than 60,000 g/mol; and polyisobutene. The composition may optionally include a plasticizer, a butene-rich copolymer, and an antioxidant. The hot melt adhesive is especially useful for bonding substrates which swell or elongate significantly in use. Such uses include adhering superabsorbent polymers to a substrate or adhering together two substrates, at least one of which has superabsorbent polymers, such as the layers of an absorbent core of a disposable hygiene article, such as a diaper.

Abstract: A method for making a plasticized polymer comprises polymerizing a polymerizable monomer, such as an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, in a plasticizer, such as mineral oil, and in the presence of a catalyst system. The plasticized polymer may be mixed with a tackifying resin in a method for making an adhesive. A composition, which may be useful as an adhesive, comprises a polymer system comprising a first polymer; a plasticized system comprising a first plasticizer that was in the presence of the first polymer during the polymerization step to make the first polymer; and a tackifier. The method can be used to make compositions having polymers with a low density or a low molecular weight or both. The final compositions made by methods of the invention include adhesives, sealants, coating, or lubricants.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive uses a blend of polymers having controlled stereoerror and comprises a stereoblock polypropylene comprising a first block having an isotactic index of between about 50% and about 95% and a second block having an isotactic index of between about 5% and 50%, wherein the difference between the isotactic indeces of the first block and the second block is at least about 10%. The hot melt adhesive exhibits improved peel and tack properties without compromising shear strength and vice versa.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition comprises a polypropylene homopolymer having a DSC melting point of less than 100° C.; a butene-based copolymer; and a plasticizer. The butene-based copolymer may comprise a butene-rich amorphous poly-alpha olefin, such as a butene-propylene copolymer, or a semi-crystalline copolymer, such as a butene-ethylene copolymer. The hot melt adhesive is especially useful for bonding substrates which swell or elongate significantly in use. Such uses include adhering superabsorbent polymers to a substrate or adhering together two substrates at least one of which having superabsorbent polymers, such as the top and bottom layer of an absorbent core of a disposable hygiene article, such as a diaper, feminine sanitary napkin, and adult incontinence pad. The hot melt adhesive composition, which does not contain a tackifier, demonstrates suitable elongation at break and stress at yield, with a sufficiently low viscosity, to stabilize an absorbent core having superabsorbent polymers.

Abstract: A method and system of using a polyolefin-based, hot melt adhesive improves creep performance of elastic strands adhered to another substrate. Some deflection, greater than 1°, of the exit angle formed by a line normal to the axis of a neutrally-positioned applicator and the elastic strand extending from the applicator is introduced. Preferably, deflection of the entrance angle is also introduced and a head tilt angle is also provided. The use of deflection improves creep performance or allows for a reduced amount of adhesive to be used to achieve the same or similar creep performance. The elastic strands may be used to form a leg cuff in personal care products, such as diapers, and the substrate to which they are applied could be a polyethylene film or non-woven materials.

Abstract: A method and system of using a polyolefin-based, hot melt adhesive improves creep performance of elastic strands adhered to another substrate. Some deflection, greater than 1°, of the exit angle formed by a line normal to the axis of a neutrally-positioned applicator and the elastic strand extending from the applicator is introduced. Preferably, deflection of the entrance angle is also introduced and a head tilt angle is also provided. The use of deflection improves creep performance or allows for a reduced amount of adhesive to be used to achieve the same or similar creep performance. The elastic strands may be used to form a leg cuff in personal care products, such as diapers, and the substrate to which they are applied could be a polyethylene film or non-woven materials.

Abstract: A hot melt wetness indicator comprising an adhesive base composition utilizing a halogen-free species, namely nitrazine yellow, to trigger color change in hygiene articles, such as disposable diapers, to serve as moisture or wetness indicator upon insult. In some embodiments of the invention, the wetness indicator turns from yellow to purple.

Abstract: A method for making a plasticized polymer comprises polymerizing a polymerizable monomer, such as an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, in a plasticizer, such as mineral oil, and in the presence of a catalyst system. The plasticized polymer may be mixed with a tackifying resin in a method for making an adhesive. A composition, which may be useful as an adhesive, comprises a polymer system comprising a first polymer; a plasticized system comprising a first plasticizer that was in the presence of the first polymer during the polymerization step to make the first polymer; and a tackifier. The method can be used to make compositions having polymers with a low density or a low molecular weight or both. The final compositions made by methods of the invention include adhesives, sealants, coating, or lubricants.

Abstract: A laminate comprises a primary substrate and a secondary substrate mated with the primary substrate through contact with a hot melt adhesive. The hot melt adhesive comprises a polymer blend based on a low molecular weight semicrystalline propylene based polymer and a high molecular weight essentially amorphous propylene based polymer, both of which are prepared by using single-site catalysts. The composition further contains a compatible tackifier, a plasticizer, an antioxidant, and optionally a wax, a filler, a colorant, a UV absorber, another polymer, or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred applications include nonwoven disposable diaper and feminine sanitary napkin construction, diaper and adult incontinent brief elastic attachment, diaper and napkin core stabilization, diaper backsheet lamination, industrial filter material conversion, and surgical gown and surgical drape assemblies.

Abstract: A laminate comprises a primary substrate and a secondary substrate mated with the primary substrate through contact with a hot melt adhesive. The hot melt adhesive comprises a polymer blend based on a low molecular weight semicrystalline propylene based polymer and a high molecular weight essentially amorphous propylene based polymer, both of which are prepared by using single-site catalysts. The composition further contains a compatible tackifier, a plasticizer, an antioxidant, and optionally a wax, a filler, a colorant, a UV absorber, another polymer, or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred applications include nonwoven disposable diaper and feminine sanitary napkin construction, diaper and adult incontinent brief elastic attachment, diaper and napkin core stabilization, diaper backsheet lamination, industrial filter material conversion, and surgical gown and surgical drape assemblies.

Abstract: A method for making a laminate comprises the steps of applying a hot melt adhesive composition in a molten state to a primary substrate and mating a secondary substrate to the first substrate by contacting the secondary substrate with the adhesive composition. The composition comprises a polymer blend based on a low molecular weight semicrystalline propylene based polymer and a high molecular weight essentially amorphous propylene based polymer, both of which are prepared by using single-site catalysts. The composition further contains a compatible tackifier, a plasticizer, an antioxidant, and optionally a wax, a filler, a colorant, a UV absorber, another polymer, or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred applications include nonwoven disposable diaper and feminine sanitary napkin construction, diaper and adult incontinent brief elastic attachment, diaper and napkin core stabilization, diaper backsheet lamination, industrial filter material conversion, and surgical gown and surgical drape assemblies.

Abstract: A method for making a laminate comprises the steps of applying a hot melt adhesive composition in a molten state to a primary substrate and mating a secondary substrate to the first substrate by contacting the secondary substrate with the adhesive composition. The composition comprises a polymer blend based on a low molecular weight semicrystalline propylene based polymer and a high molecular weight essentially amorphous propylene based polymer, both of which are prepared by using single-site catalysts. The composition further contains a compatible tackifier, a plasticizer, an antioxidant, and optionally a wax, a filler, a colorant, a UV absorber, another polymer, or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred applications include nonwoven disposable diaper and feminine sanitary napkin construction, diaper and adult incontinent brief elastic attachment, diaper and napkin core stabilization, diaper backsheet lamination, industrial filter material conversion, and surgical gown and surgical drape assemblies.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition comprises a polymer blend based on a low molecular weight semicrystalline propylene based polymer and a high molecular weight essentially amorphous propylene based polymer, both of which are prepared by using single-site catalysts. The composition further contains a compatible tackifier, a plasticizer, an antioxidant, and optionally a wax, a filler, a colorant, a UV absorber, another polymer, or combinations thereof. The hot melt composition has low viscosity ranging from 500 mPa·s to 35,000 mPa·s at 177° C. and is useful for a variety of industrial applications where bonding of low surface energy substrates is encountered, including disposable nonwoven hygienic articles, labeling and other assembly applications.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition comprises a polymer blend based on a first polymer component having a low melting point and is selected from a polypropylene homopolymer and a copolymer of propylene and ethylene and mixtures thereof; a second polymer component comprising an amorphous polyolefin; and about 30% to about 75% by weight of a tackifying resin. The composition optionally further contains a plasticizer, an antioxidant, a wax, a filler, a colorant, a UV absorber, another polymer, or combinations thereof. The hot melt composition has a viscosity equal to or less than about 80,000 cP at 180° C. and is useful for a variety of industrial applications including bonding together the substrates used in disposable hygiene products, such as nonwoven layers, elastic attachments, and thermoplastic films (polyolefin, polylactic acid, etc.). The hot melt adhesive composition may be dually functional, serving as an elastic component adhesive and a construction adhesive.

Abstract: A method and system of using a polyolefin-based, hot melt adhesive improves creep performance of elastic strands adhered to another substrate. Some deflection, greater than 1°, of the exit angle formed by a line normal to the axis of a neutrally-positioned applicator and the elastic strand extending from the applicator is introduced. Preferably, deflection of the entrance angle is also introduced and a head tilt angle is also provided. The use of deflection improves creep performance or allows for a reduced amount of adhesive to be used to achieve the same or similar creep performance. The elastic strands may be used to form a leg cuff in personal care products, such as diapers, and the substrate to which they are applied could be a polyethylene film or non-woven materials.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition comprises a polymer blend based on a low molecular weight semicrystalline propylene based polymer and a high molecular weight essentially amorphous propylene based polymer, both of which are prepared by using single-site catalysts. The composition further contains a compatible tackifier, a plasticizer, an antioxidant, and optionally a wax, a filler, a colorant, a UV absorber, another polymer, or combinations thereof. The hot melt composition has low viscosity ranging from 500 mPa·s to 35,000 mPa·s at 177° C. and is useful for a variety of industrial applications where bonding of low surface energy substrates is encountered, including disposable nonwoven hygienic articles, labeling and other assembly applications.