Color-changing wallpaper adhesive primer/activator

Abstract

Adhesives and primer compositions that include water, a polymer and a pH indicator. The adhesives and primers have a visually-detectable color when wet, and preferably dry to a clear or transparent film, while having good flow and spreadability. The adhesives and primers provide a visual indication of wetness by including a pH indicator such that when the composition is wet, the pH indicator is colored such that the color and the intensity of the color provides a visual indication of wetness; sufficiency of thickness; and uniformity of application of the adhesive or primer.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . An adhesive composition comprising water, an adhesive polymer, and a pH indicator, wherein said pH indicator provides a visible color when wet and provides no visible color when dry.  
     
     
         2 . The adhesive of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive composition is a wallpaper adhesive.  
     
     
         3 . The adhesive of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive composition is a wallpaper activator.  
     
     
         4 . The adhesive of  claim 2 , wherein said wallpaper adhesive comprises, water from about 20% to about 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, an adhesive polymer from about 5% to about 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a polymer stabilizer from about 0% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a humectant from about 0% to about 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a biocides from about 0% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a defoamer from about 0% to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a pH adjuster from about 0% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, and a pH Indicator from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         5 . The adhesive of  claim 3 , wherein said wallpaper activator comprises, water from about 60% to about 99.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, an adhesive based adhesive polymer from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a rheology control agent from about 0% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a biocides from about 0% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a co-solvent from about 0% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a pigment from about 0% to about 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a pH adjuster from about 0% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, and a pH Indicator from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         6 . The adhesive of  claim 1 , wherein said pH indicator is selected from the group consisting of 6,8-dinitro-2,4-(1H)quinazolinedione; p-nitrophenol; o-cresolphthalein; ethyl bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl) ethanoate; phenolphthalein; thymolphthalein; 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene; 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene; and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The adhesive of  claim 6 , wherein said pH indicator is selected from the group consisting of thymolphthalein, phenolphthalein, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The adhesive of  claim 1 , wherein said pH indicator comprises from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         9 . The adhesive of  claim 8 , wherein said pH indicator comprises from about 0.01% to about 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         10 . The adhesive of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive polymer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, starch, polyvinyl acetate and derivatives and copolymers thereof, polyvinyl alcohol and derivatives and copolymers thereof, latex and derivatives and copolymers thereof, acrylics and copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The adhesive of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive polymer comprises from about 5% to about 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         12 . The adhesive of  claim 10 , wherein said adhesive polymer is starch.  
     
     
         13 . The adhesive of  claim 12 , wherein said starch is selected from the group consisting of corn starch, wheat starch, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The adhesive of  claim 12 , wherein said adhesive polymer comprises from about 5% to about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         15 . The adhesive of  claim 10 , wherein said adhesive polymer is cellulose.  
     
     
         16 . The adhesive of  claim 15 , wherein said adhesive polymer comprises from about 5% to about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         17 . The adhesive of  claim 1 , further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of a biocide, polymer stabilizer, rheology control agent, defoamer, pH adjuster, humectant, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The adhesive of  claim 17 , wherein said biocide is selected from the group consisting of 4,4-dimethoxazolidine, 2(hydroxymethyl)amino ethanol, Troysan Polyphase AF-1, methyl benzimidazole-2-yl carbamate, 1,3-dihydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1-hydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The adhesive of  claim 17 , wherein said biocide wherein comprises from about 0.01% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         20 . The adhesive of  claim 17 , wherein said polymer stabilizer comprises from about 0.01% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         21 . The adhesive of  claim 17 , wherein said rheology control agent comprises from about 0.1% to about 25% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         22 . The adhesive of  claim 17 , wherein said defoamer comprises from about 0.01% to about 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         23 . The adhesive of  claim 17 , wherein said pH adjuster comprises from about 0.01% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         24 . The adhesive of  claim 17 , wherein said humectant comprises from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         25 . A primer composition comprising water, a polymer, and a pH indicator, wherein said pH indicator provides a visible color when wet and provides no visible color when dry.  
     
     
         26 . The primer of  claim 25 , wherein said primer is a wallpaper primer.  
     
     
         27 . The primer of  claim 25 , wherein said primer comprises, water from about 50% to about 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a polymer from about 5% to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a rheology control agent from about 0% to about 8% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a biocides from about 0% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a co-solvent from about 0% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a pigment from about 0% to about 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, a pH adjuster from about 0% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, and a pH Indicator from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         28 . The primer of  claim 25 , wherein said pH indicator is selected from the group consisting of 6,8-dinitro-2,4-(1H)quinazolinedione; p-nitrophenol; o-cresolphthalein; ethyl bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl) ethanoate; phenolphthalein; thymolphthalein; 1,3.5-trinitrobenzene; 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene; and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         29 . The primer of  claim 28 , wherein said pH indicator is thymolphthalein, phenolphthalein, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         30 . The primer of  claim 25 , wherein said pH indicator comprises from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         31 . The primer of  claim 30 , wherein said pH indicator comprises from about 0.01% to about 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         32 . The primer of  claim 25 , wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of acrylic based polymers and copolymers thereof, vinyl acetate based polymers and copolymers thereof, styrene butadiene rubbers and copolymers thereof, latex and copolymer thereof, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         33 . The primer of  claim 25 , wherein said polymer comprises from about 5% to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         34 . The primer of  claim 32 , wherein said polymer is an acrylic based polymer or a copolymer thereof.  
     
     
         35 . The primer of  claim 32 , wherein said polymer is a vinyl acetate based polymer or a copolymer thereof.  
     
     
         36 . The primer of  claim 25 , further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of a biocide, polymer stabilizer, rheology control agent, defoamer, pH adjuster, humectant, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         37 . The primer of  claim 36 , wherein said biocide is selected from the group consisting of 4,4-dimethoxazolidine, 2(hydroxymethyl)amino ethanol, Troysan Polyphase AF-1, methyl benzimidazole-2-yl carbamate, 1,3-dihydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1-hydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         38 . The primer of  claim 36 , wherein said biocide wherein comprises from about 0.01% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         39 . The primer of  claim 36 , wherein said polymer stabilizer comprises from about 0.01% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         40 . The primer of  claim 36 , wherein said rheology control agent comprises from about 0.1% to about 25% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         41 . The primer of  claim 36 , wherein said defoamer comprises from about 0.01% to about 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         42 . The primer of  claim 36 , wherein said pH adjuster comprises from about 0.01% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         43 . The primer of  claim 36 , wherein said humectant comprises from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         44 . In an adhesive composition comprising, water and an adhesive polymer, the improvement comprising the addition of a sufficient amount of a pH indicator such that the pH indicator imparts a visible color to said adhesive composition when said adhesive composition is wet and does not impart a visible color to said adhesive composition when said adhesive composition is dry.  
     
     
         45 . The adhesive of  claim 44 , wherein said adhesive is a wallpaper adhesive.  
     
     
         46 . The adhesive of  claim 44 , wherein said pH indicator is selected from the group consisting of 6,8-dinitro-2,4-(1H)quinazolinedione; p-nitrophenol; o-cresolphthalein; ethyl bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl) ethanoate; phenolphthalein; thymolphthalein; 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene; 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene; and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         47 . The adhesives of  claim 46 , wherein said pH indicator is thymolphthalein, phenolphthalein, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         48 . The adhesive of  claim 44 , wherein said pH indicator comprises from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         49 . The adhesive of  claim 48 , wherein said pH indicator comprises from about 0.01% to about 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         50 . The adhesive of  claim 44 , wherein said adhesive polymer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, starch, polyvinyl acetate and derivatives and copolymers thereof, polyvinyl alcohol and derivatives and copolymers thereof, latex and derivatives and copolymers thereof, acrylics and copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         51 . The adhesive of  claim 50 , wherein said adhesive polymer is starch.  
     
     
         52 . The adhesive of  claim 51 , wherein said adhesive polymer comprises from about 5% to about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         53 . The adhesive of  claim 50 , wherein said adhesive polymer is cellulose.  
     
     
         54 . The adhesive of  claim 53 , wherein said adhesive polymer comprises from about 5% to about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         55 . The adhesive of  claim 44 , further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of a biocide, polymer stabilizer, rheology control agent, defoamer, pH adjuster, humectant, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         56 . The adhesive of  claim 55 , wherein said biocide is selected from the group consisting of 4,4-dimethoxazolidine, 2(hydroxymethyl)amino ethanol, Troysan Polyphase AF-1, methyl benzimidazole-2-yl carbamate, 1,3-dihydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1-hydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         57 . The adhesive of  claim 56 , wherein said biocide comprises from about 0.01% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         58 . The adhesive of  claim 55 , wherein said polymer stabilizer comprises from about 0.01% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         59 . The adhesive of  claim 55 , wherein said rheology control agent comprises from about 0.1% to about 25% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         60 . The adhesive of  claim 55 , wherein said defoamer comprises from about 0.01% to about 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         61 . The adhesive of  claim 55 , wherein said pH adjuster comprises from about 0.01% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         62 . The adhesive of  claim 55 , wherein said humectant comprises from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         63 . A method of adhering a paper to a wall comprising, applying a wet, colored adhesive to said wall or to said back surface of said paper, and prior to adhering said back surface to said wall, inspecting the adhesive for continuous color on the entire area where adhesive was applied, and then applying more of said wet, colored adhesive or more water where the adhesive is colorless, and then adhering said paper to said wall, and allowing said wet, colored adhesive to dry and become colorless.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein said colored adhesive is a composition comprising water, an adhesive polymer, and a pH indicator, wherein said pH indicator provides a visible color when wet and provides no visible color when dry.  
     
     
         65 . The methods of  claim 64 , wherein said pH indicator is thymolphthalein, phenolphthalein, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said pH indicator comprises from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said pH indicator comprises from about 0.01% to about 0.1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said adhesive polymer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, starch, polyvinyl acetate and derivatives and copolymers thereof, polyvinyl alcohol and derivatives and copolymers thereof, latex and derivatives and copolymers thereof, acrylics and copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of a biocide, polymer stabilizer, rheology control agent, defoamer, pH adjuster, humectant, and combinations thereof.