Segmented Adhesive Units for Floating Floor Tile Interconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flooring systems using chemical adhesives for attaching floor tiles are harmful to surfaces and the environment, and they do not allow for the tiles to move as a single unit, which is desirable in certain applications.

Innovation Solution

A flooring system utilizing individual adhesive units as fasteners, composed of multiple layers including an adhesive layer and a polymer film or textile substrate, to attach floor tiles to each other, creating a floating floorcovering article that can shift and expand due to temperature changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If chemical adhesive compositions are used to adhere floor tiles to the flooring surface, then the floor tiles are securely attached, but the floor tiles cannot shift or move as a single unit and chemical adhesive materials are harmful to the environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharmful effects of chemical adhesive materialsVSAvoidability of floor tiles to move as a single unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive system is segmented into individual adhesive units (tiles, dots, strips) rather than using continuous chemical adhesive compositions. Each adhesive unit is a discrete element that can be independently applied, eliminating the need for harmful chemical adhesives while maintaining secure attachment between floor tiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Individual adhesive units serve as intermediary elements between floor tiles, enabling the tiles to be connected to each other rather than directly to the flooring surface. This intermediary approach allows the floor covering to move as a single unit while maintaining secure inter-tile attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If floor tiles are adhered to the flooring surface using chemical adhesives, then the installation is stable, but the system is harmful to the environment and restricts movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of floor tile attachmentVSAvoidenvironmental harm from chemical adhesive compositions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses individual adhesive units that can be easily replaced or repositioned compared to permanent chemical adhesive bonds. These discrete adhesive elements provide sufficient stability for installation while being environmentally benign and replaceable if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces chemical adhesive systems with mechanical adhesive units (tiles, dots, strips) that provide attachment through physical means rather than chemical bonding. This substitution eliminates environmental harm from chemical adhesives while maintaining reliable floor tile attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional chemical adhesives are used for floor tile attachment, then the process is simple, but the system is harmful and prevents floating floorcovering movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of floor tile installation processVSAvoidharmful effects on floor surfaces and environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive system is divided into discrete, pre-manufactured units (tiles, dots, strips) that simplify the installation process. These segmented adhesive elements are applied individually rather than requiring spreading of chemical adhesives, maintaining simplicity while eliminating harmful substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Individual adhesive units act as intermediaries between floor tiles and the flooring surface, providing a simple application process similar to traditional adhesives but without the harmful chemical composition. The intermediary units enable easy installation while protecting floor surfaces and the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution eliminates the need for harmful chemical adhesives, allows floor tiles to move as a single unit, and enables easy replacement of damaged tiles, while maintaining stability and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

at least a portion of the adhesive fastener (140) is attached to at least a portion of the shear resistant surface (121) of the individual floor tiles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10774542B2Flooring system

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 MILLIKEN & CO

AI summary

This invention relates to a method for adhering floor tiles together and the flooring system thereby created. The method utilizes individual adhesive units as fasteners for attachment of each floor tile to the next contiguous floor tile. The adhesive units are a multi-layered composite comprised of at least one adhesive layer and at least one layer of polymer film or textile substrate. When a series of floor tiles are attached to one another in this manner, a floating floorcovering article is achieved.