Tile, in particular carpet tile, and covering of such tiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carpet tiles often suffer from edge curling when exposed to water or cleaning agents and lack stability due to the use of poor-quality rubber base materials, and their floated installation can lead to undesired displacement from the supporting surface.
Innovation Solution
A carpet tile with an elastic backing structure featuring superficial suction holes that allow for quick and firm attachment to a support surface without glue, providing stability and easy removal, while the elastic layer's 'stiff-adhere, soft-release' principle minimizes edge curling and displacement.
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 deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical bonding (glue) with a mechanical suction system. The elastic backing layer contains numerous suction holes that create vacuum pressure when pressed against the support surface, providing mechanical retention without adhesives. This allows tiles to be easily installed and removed while maintaining stability through controllable suction force.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic backing layer is designed as a porous material with controlled permeability. The suction holes are distributed throughout the backing layer, allowing air to be evacuated during installation to create negative pressure. The porous structure enables the material to maintain suction while allowing controlled air flow during the attachment and detachment processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rubber base materials are used in carpet tiles, then flexibility and usability are improved, but edge curling and disfiguration occur when exposed to water or cleaning agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite construction with a pile layer and an elastic backing layer made of different materials. The backing layer is specifically engineered to be resistant to water and cleaning agents while maintaining flexibility. This composite structure separates the functional requirements: the pile provides flexibility and usability, while the specialized backing provides chemical resistance and dimensional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic backing layer's physical and chemical parameters are optimized to resist degradation from water and cleaning agents. The material composition and cross-linking density are controlled to maintain dimensional stability and prevent edge curling while preserving the necessary flexibility for installation and use.
3Productivity
If superficial suction holes are formed in the elastic layer, then quick attachment and removal are achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction holes are integrated directly into the elastic backing layer during the foam extrusion or molding process, rather than being added as a separate component. The foam material itself forms the suction holes through its cellular structure, making the attachment mechanism self-contained within the backing layer and eliminating the need for separate suction devices or complex assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the backing layer and suction mechanism into a single integrated component. The elastic backing layer simultaneously provides structural support, flexibility, and the suction function through its porous structure. This consolidation simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly operations required.
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 ensures the carpet tile remains stable and resistant to curling, maintains dimensional stability, and allows for easy installation and removal without leaving residue, addressing the issues of edge curling and displacement in existing carpet tiles.
Implementation Method 1
Upon release of the downward force exerted to the tile installed, a vacuum (sub-atmospheric pressure) will be generated within the suction holes, causing the tile to be pulled towards and held against the support surface.
Implementation Method 2
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
Implementation Method 3
circumferential edges of the suction holes, and/or elastic material of the lower surface situated in between the suction holes, create a substantially air-tight seal between the lower surface of the elastic layer and the support surface
Implementation Method 4
the tile according to the invention, due to the quick-release adhesive backing structure, the tile is configured to become quickly attached to a support surface in a stable and durable manner, while the tile can also be detached from said support surface in a quick and easy manner
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
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.