Anti-adhesive Roll Coating for Paper Stickies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial rolls, particularly those used in paper production, face issues with stickies - sticky contaminants that adhere to drying drums, causing irregularities and quality loss in the paper product due to insufficient anti-adhesion surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A roll with an inorganic-organic hybrid sol-gel top layer containing fluoropolymers, such as PTFE, FEP, or PFA, which provides a hydrophobic and anti-adhesive surface, combined with a carbide adhesion layer for enhanced wear resistance and adhesion, applied at lower temperatures to prevent deformation and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional coating is applied to the roll surface, then the roll can be manufactured, but the surface lacks sufficient anti-adhesion properties to prevent stickies from adhering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-adhesion performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a composite coating system consisting of multiple layers: a base coating layer and a top layer containing fluoropolymer particles (such as PTFE, FEP, or PFA). This composite structure combines the adhesion properties of the base coating with the anti-adhesive properties of the fluoropolymer-containing top layer, achieving superior anti-adhesion performance while maintaining manufacturability through a systematic multi-layer application process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the roll operates for extended periods in paper production, then productivity is maintained, but stickies accumulate and adhere to the roll surface causing quality loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidstickey accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coating system provides preliminary anti-action by creating a hydrophobic surface barrier before stickies can adhere to the roll. The fluoropolymer particles in the top layer establish long-chain carbon structures that repel sticky contaminants, preventing adhesion before it occurs and allowing continuous operation without quality degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If a thick anti-adhesive coating is applied to maximize anti-adhesion properties, then stickies are better prevented from adhering, but the roll becomes more complex and harder to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-adhesion effectivenessVSAvoidcoating structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating system is segmented into distinct functional layers: a base coating layer that provides adhesion to the roll substrate and a top layer that provides anti-adhesion properties through fluoropolymer particles. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturability through a systematic application process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the roll surface is made highly anti-adhesive to prevent stickies, then paper quality is improved, but the surface may become more susceptible to wear and abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-adhesion propertiesVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The top layer is formulated as a composite material containing fluoropolymer particles embedded in a binding matrix. This composite structure provides the anti-adhesive properties of fluoropolymers while the binding matrix and particle framework maintain mechanical strength and wear resistance, achieving both anti-adhesion effectiveness and durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The roll effectively prevents stickies from adhering, maintains anti-adhesive functionality under abrasion, and offers excellent chemical resistance and mechanical properties, ensuring consistent paper quality and extended roll lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

The top layer has a water-repellent or hydrophobic character... the hydrophobic character contributes to the prevention of the adhesion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

Inorganic-organic hybrid sol-gels are known from the development of new optical and bioactive materials... the presence of fluoropolymers in the sol-gel contributes to the anti-adhesive character

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSol-gel process: Sol

Data Source

PatentEP3707305B1Roll with Anti-adhesive top layer and method for applying such a layer
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 HANNECARD NV

AI summary

The present invention relates, among other things, to a roll suitable for guiding, preferably drying guiding, of a web, preferably a fibrous web, wherein the roll is provided with a rigid and substantially cylindrical roll core which is provided at its jacket with a coating comprising an anti-adhesive top layer for preventing adhesion of stickies, said top layer comprising a fluoropolymer; wherein said top layer comprises an inorganic-organic hybrid sol-gel comprising said fluoropolymer, and further preferably comprises silica, more preferably hydrophobic silica.