Carpet Tile Elastic Backing with Suction Holes for Glue-Free Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carpet tiles often suffer from edge curling and instability due to poor-quality rubber base backing, and their floated installation without glue can lead to undesired displacement on the support surface.
Innovation Solution
A carpet tile with an elastic backing structure featuring a plurality of superficial suction holes on its lower surface, allowing for quick and firm attachment and easy removal without leaving residue, utilizing an anisotropic material with varying hole sizes for enhanced suction and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If carpet tiles are installed as floated floor covering without glue, then ease of installation is improved, but stability and resistance to displacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical adhesive bonding with a mechanical suction system. The elastic backing structure with suction holes creates a vacuum effect that mechanically holds the tile to the support surface, eliminating the need for glue while maintaining stable attachment and allowing easy removal when suction is released.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using suction holes in the elastic backing structure to create a vacuum effect. This pneumatic mechanism generates negative pressure that holds the tile firmly to the support surface during installation, providing both stability and ease of removal when the vacuum is broken.
2Ease of manufacture
If rubber base backing is used in carpet tiles, then ease of manufacture is improved, but dimensional stability and resistance to curling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional rubber base to an elastic material with specific suction properties. This elastic material maintains ease of manufacture while providing superior dimensional stability and resistance to curling through its ability to conform to the support surface and create a vacuum seal via the suction holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a porous elastic backing structure with suction holes that allows the material to create a vacuum effect. This porous design maintains manufacturability while dramatically improving dimensional stability and preventing edge curling through the vacuum hold-down effect.
3Strength
If suction holes are formed in elastic layer, then attachment strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous elastic backing structure where suction holes are integrated into the material itself. This approach creates strong attachment through vacuum effect while maintaining relative manufacturing simplicity, as the porous structure can be formed during the extrusion or molding process of the elastic material.
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 solution provides improved dimensional stability, lay-flat characteristics, and flexibility in attachment and detachment, reducing the likelihood of curling and displacement, while being produced without chemical adhesives for efficient in-line production.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of (superficial) suction holes is formed in at least a lower surface of said elastic layer allowing the tile to be quickly attached to a support surface and removed therefrom
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tile, in particular a carpet tile. The invention also relates to the use a tile according to the invention as floor tile, wall tile, or ceiling tile. The invention further relates to a tile covering consisting of a plurality of tiles according to the invention. The invention additionally relates to a carpet covering consisting of at least one carpet tile according to the invention.