Technology's Edge November 2010

Patent for DYMAX 
See-Cure Technology

TORRINGTON, Conn.—DYMAX Corporation, an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of advanced light-curable materials and light-curing systems, has been issued U.S. Patent number 7,691,557, Polymerizable Composition Exhibiting Permanent Color Change as Cure Indicator, covering the invention of its See-Cure color-change technology. This technology, developed by Dr. Stephen Cantor and Dr. Igor Khudyakov, addresses the two most-often asked questions about light-curable products: "How do I know I have dispensed enough adhesive?" and "How do I know when the adhesive is cured?"

DYMAX adhesives formulated with See-Cure technology are bright blue in color in their uncured state, making them very easy to see on the surface of substrates, in deep wells, or when sandwiched between two layers of transparent or translucent material. Because the blue color is extremely visible, simple vision systems can be incorporated into assembly processes prior to curing in order to easily identify adhesive coverage and profile.

The blue color in See-Cure adhesive technology is only temporary. The disappearance of the adhesive's blue color is the visible indicator that sufficient light energy has been provided to achieve full cure. As the adhesive cures, the blue color fades and the adhesive ultimately turns clear upon full cure.

Pira to Study the Future 
of Beer in PET Packaging

LEATHERHEAD, UK—Pira International is launching a new multi-client study to assess the opportunities for beer in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging. The study is aimed at brewers, brand owners, packaging converters, and suppliers who need to understand the market potential for beer in PET, technology drivers and barriers, consumer acceptance, and a realistic timeline for adoption based on primary research.

PET is showing increased demand from a number of different categories including juices and nectars, ready-to-drink teas, functional drinks, flavored waters, and beer.

The advent of new developments, such multilayered bottles that permit producers to pasteurize the bottle with the beer inside to prevent oxidation, are helping challenge some negative perceptions and create opportunities for brewers, brand owners, packaging converters, and suppliers.

The study will explore the full range of technology solutions, provide an assessment of the feasibility and challenges of each solution, and forecast likely technology developments to 2015. It will also provide a full market assessment, with quantitative five-year forecasts for each application based on primary research across the value chain and consumer focus groups. The study will be published in Q1 2011. pP