Phonograph records
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023797833
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-09-26
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-06
AI Technical Summary
Current phonograph records face challenges in reducing PVC dependency while maintaining playback quality, as alternatives with cheaper fillers lead to surface noise and decreased quality.
Phonograph records are made partially from bioplastics like PLA, combined with graphene or graphite, which reduces static, improves scratch resistance, and allows for thinner pressings, using conventional twin screw extrusion.
The use of bioplastics with graphene or graphite enhances playback quality, reduces material usage, and improves environmental impact by offering a sustainable alternative.
Abstract
Description
[0001]Phonograph Records Field of the Invention The invention relates to phonograph records. Background to the Invention Current phonograph records / discs are made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), often with added dyes, lubricants and stabilisers. Attempts have been made to reduce the dependency on PVC by using two different materials in such a way that PVC is used only for the groove area while a cheaper material is used for the inner groove-free area of the disc. Another proposal is to replace part of the expensive raw material with cheap fillers. The addition of such fillers, however, leads to surface noise and thus to a reduction in quality, which is no longer acceptable due to the increased demands on playback quality. Statements of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a phonograph record formed at least partially from a bioplastic, that is to say, a plastics material derived from biological substances rather than from petroleum, many types of which are biodegradable. An example of a suitable plastics material is PLA (polylactic acid). Preferably, the bioplastic is in admixture with graphene or graphite. Preferably, the bioplastic is modified with one or more of an inert filler and an impact modifier. The presence of graphene and / or graphite will reduce significantly the build up of static, improving scratch resistance and rigidity. In addition, the graphene permits the records to be thinner pressings, thereby reducing the amount of material needed. Overall, the use of phonograph records of the invention will improve the environmental impact for the music industry. Detailed Description of the Invention A phonograph record in accordance with the present invention may have the following composition: PLA biopolymer 87 – 98% Sugar starch wax 0.25 – 5% Single layer and multi-layer graphene 0.1 – 3% Carbon black colourant 2 – 5% The upper limit for the PLA biopolymer may be, for instance, 97.65%. The black colourant may be substituted by other colourants according to the desired aesthetic effect. The components are admixed using conventional equipment including twin screw extrusion to form a fully compounded material.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. A phonograph record formed at least partially from a bioplastic.
2. A phonograph record according to Claim 1, wherein the bioplastic is PLA.
3. A phonograph record according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the bioplastic is in admixture with graphene and / or graphite.
4. A phonograph record according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bioplastic is modified with one or more of an inert filler and an impact modifier.
5. A phonograph record according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bioplastic is in admixture with sugar starch wax.
6. A composition for making a phonograph record, the composition comprising a PLA biopolymer and graphene and / or graphite.
7. A composition according to Claim 6, wherein the composition includes single starch wax.
8. A composition according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the composition includes a carbon black colourant.
9. A composition according to any of claims 6 to 8, the composition comprising: PLA biopolymer 87 – 98% Sugar starch wax 0.25 – 5%Single layer and multi-layer graphene 0.1 – 3% Colourant 2 – 5% 10. A composition according to Claims 9, wherein the colourant is a carbon black colourant.