IMPROVED PATCH

Abstract

A method of making a patch comprising the steps of (1) providing a carrier material; (2) coating an underside of the carrier material with a suitable non-UV-curable acrylic adhesive, the adhesive being a solution of a polyacrylate in an organic solvent or solvent mixture, the solvent or solvent mixture being used in an amount of from 25% to 70% by weight; (3) assembling the patch; (4) forming a grid structure on the patch so that it comprises a plurality of intersecting strips. According to the invention, the adhesive is applied at a temperature of 90 C. to 120 C. for a time of 5 s to 60 s, and before and/or after the application of the adhesive, the patch is activated by repeated irradiation of the underside by ultraviolet light.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a patch (1) for reducing itching and/or swelling caused by insect bites, the method comprising the following steps: providing an adhesive-coatable organic carrier material, optionally a carrier material comprising artificial silk, cellulose acetate, polyurethane or polyester; coating an underside of the carrier material with a non-UV-curable acrylate adhesive suitable for bonding the same to human skin, said adhesive being used as a solution of a polyacrylate in an organic solvent or solvent mixture, wherein the solvent or solvent mixture is used in an amount of 25 to 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the acrylate adhesive; tailoring the patch (1) to a size suitable for covering an area from which the itching and swelling originates; producing a grid structure with gaps on the patch (1) so that it comprises a plurality of intersecting strips (2, 3); wherein: the adhesive is applied at a temperature of 45 C. to 155 C. for a time of 5 s to 60 s, and the patch (1) is activated by repeated irradiation of the underside with ultraviolet light before and/or after application of the adhesive.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of tailoring takes place before or after the step of structuring, while the carrier material is at all times arranged with its underside which is coated with acrylate adhesive on a protective film.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the activation by means of ultraviolet light comprises a first pulse with a length of 5 s1 s, followed by a first pause of 10 s2 s, as well as a second pulse with a length of 5 s1 s, followed by a second pause of 10 s2 s, as well as a third pulse with a length of 2.5 s0.5 s.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the energy radiated to the adhesive is 85 mJ/cm{circumflex over ()}215%.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the grid structure consists of vertical strips (2) and horizontal strips (3).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the vertical strips (2) and the horizontal strips (3) are at an angle (5) of 90 to each other.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the vertical strips (2) and the horizontal strips (3) are at an angle (5) of 7, 30, 42, 45, 60, or 75 to each other.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the grid structure consists of three or more groups of strips (2; 3) each running parallel to each other, and wherein each group includes an angle (5) to the remaining groups.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein each strip (2, 3) ends in a free section (6) on both sides.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the edges of each free section (6) are at an angle (5) of 90 to each other.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the ends of each free portion (6) are tapered at an angle of 10 to 170.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the ends of each free portion (6) are rounded.

13. the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive is applied under a pressure of 3.057 bar to 5.095 bar or under a surface pressure of 3.1 kg/cm{circumflex over ()}2 to 5.1 kg/cm{circumflex over ()}2.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of isopropanol, heptane and ethyl acrylate.

15. A patch (1) for reducing itching and/or swelling caused by insect bites, wherein the patch (1) is manufactured by a method according to manufactured claim 1.

16. The patch (1) according to claim 15, wherein the carrier material comprises artificial silk, cellulose acetate, polyurethane or polyester.

17. The patch (1) according to claim 15, wherein the acrylic adhesive comprises isopropanol, heptane and ethyl acetate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] The invention is explained below by way of example with the aid of figures. Thereby shows

[0062] FIG. 1 a schematic flow diagram relating to the process for producing an improved patch;

[0063] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a patch according to the invention;

[0064] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a patch according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a schematic flow diagram of the method for manufacturing an improved patch. In a first step, the carrier material is prepared. The adhesive is then applied to the underside of the carrier material, whereby the parameters mentioned in the figure with regard to temperature, time, pressure and surface pressure must preferably be adhered to. Then the structuring (production of the grid structure), as well as a finishing (separation of the patches from the panel) takes place. The last two steps can be carried out one after the other, as shown, but also at the same time.

[0066] According to the invention, the underside is activated by UV irradiation before and/or after coating.

[0067] To avoid repetition, reference is made to the above statements.

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a patch 1 according to the invention. Accordingly, this patch 1 has a grid structure consisting of four vertical strips 2 and three horizontal strips 3. Between the strips 2, 3 there are gaps 4 (only two marked with a reference sign). The gaps 4 have the effect of reducing the elastic modulus of the patch (compared to an ordinary patch without gaps, not shown).

[0069] In the example shown, the vertical strips 2 and the horizontal strips 3 are at an angle 5 of 90 to each other. The gaps 4 are therefore rectangular, in this case square.

[0070] The embodiment shown in this Fig. has strips 2, 3 which end in free sections 6 on both sides (only two marked with reference signs). The edges of each free section 6 are at an angle of 90 to each other (no reference signs).

[0071] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a patch 1 according to the invention. This differs from the one described above in that the vertical strips 2 and the horizontal strips 3 are at an angle to each other that is different from 90. In the present case, the angle 5 is approximately 68. This results in different global moduli of elasticity for the two main tensile directions X, Y. In the main tensile direction Y, this is smaller than in the main tensile direction X. A load in the X-direction is mainly absorbed by the strips running in X-direction, which continue to be loaded along their longitudinal axis. When a load is applied in the Y-direction, however, the (tilted) vertical strips are no longer loaded in the direction of their longitudinal axis.

[0072] It also differs in that the gaps are not made in the substrate by punching or laser cutting, for example, but are formed by superimposing individual strips spaced apart from each other.

[0073] This embodiment also has strips 2, 3 which end in free sections 6 on both sides. However, the edges of each free section 6 taper at an angle of approximately 45, which can lead to a concentration of tension at the tips after application of the patch 1 to the skin (not shown).

[0074] It should be noted that the variants described in FIGS. 2 and 3 are also possible in combinations other than those illustrated by the exemplary embodiments described, as they are not mutually dependent.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0075] 1 Patch [0076] 2 Vertical strip [0077] 3 Horizontal strip [0078] 4 Gap [0079] 5 Angle [0080] 6 free section [0081] X Main tensile direction [0082] Y Main tensile direction