Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A process for preparing an aqueous suspension of hollow, polymeric, acrylate, inherently tacky, infusible, solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, elastomeric pressure-sensitive adhesive microspheres having a diameter of at least 1 micrometer, said process comprising the steps of: a) forming a water-in-oil emulsion of a water phase selected from the group consisting of water and aqueous solutions of at least one polar monomer in at least one oil phase monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylate and alkyl methacrylate esters; b) forming a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion by dispersing the water-in-oil emulsion into an aqueous phase containing an emulsifier having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value of at least 6; and c) initiating polymerization.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process for preparing an aqueous suspension of hollow, polymeric, acrylate, inherently tacky, infusible, solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, elastomeric pressure-sensitive adhesive microspheres having a diameter of at least 1 micrometer, said process comprising the steps of: a) forming a water-in-oil emulsion of a water phase selected from the group consisting of water and aqueous solutions of at least one polar monomer in at least one oil phase monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylate and alkyl methacrylate esters; b) forming a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion by dispersing the water-in-oil emulsion into an aqueous phase containing an emulsifier having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value of at least 6; and c) initiating polymerization.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the water-in-oil emulsion further comprises an emulsifier having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value of less than about 7.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein polymerization is initiated by means of exposure to radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein polymerization is initiated by means of exposure to heat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process for preparing an aqueous suspension of hollow, polymeric, acrylate, inherently tacky, infusible, solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, elastomeric pressure-sensitive adhesive microspheres having a diameter of at least 1 micrometer, said process comprising the steps of: a) forming droplets by mixing together i) at least one monomer selected from alkyl acrylate esters and alkyl methacrylate esters, ii) at least one moderately ionized polar monomer, and, iii) at least one emulsifier which is capable of producing a water-in-oil emulsion inside said droplets, said emulsion being substantially stable during emulsification and polymerization, and b) initiation polymerization.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process for preparing an aqueous suspension of hollow, polymeric, acrylate, inherently tacky, infusible, solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, elastomeric pressure-sensitive adhesive microspheres having a diameter of at least 1 micrometer, said process comprising the steps of: a) forming droplets by mixing together i) at least one monomer selected from alkyl acrylate esters and alkyl methacrylate esters, ii) at least one moderately ionized polar monomer, and, iii) at least one emulsifier which is capable of producing a water-in-oil emulsion inside said droplets, said emulsion being substantially stable during emulsification and polymerization, and b) initiation polymerization.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 5 wherein said emulsifier has an HLB value of at least 25.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 5 wherein polymerization is initiated by means of exposure to heat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein polymerization is initiated by means of exposure to heat.