Used Coffee Grounds in Artificial Stone Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing waste from used ground coffee poses a challenge as it is often discarded without utilization, while conventional methods for producing artificial stone do not effectively incorporate waste materials, lacking innovative solutions for repurposing this waste into decorative products.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of used ground coffee as a primary component in artificial stone production, combining drying, mixing with resin, additives like calcium carbonate or aluminum trihydrate, and catalysts, followed by molding, polishing, and coating with waterproof agents, to create aesthetically distinctive and aromatic products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If used ground coffee is discarded without utilization, then waste management is simple, but environmental pollution increases and resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste material (used ground coffee) into a beneficial decorative product (artificial stone). The coffee grounds that would normally pollute the environment are transformed into an aesthetic component with unique patterns and pleasant aroma, eliminating pollution while creating value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers and reuses discarded coffee grounds by incorporating them into artificial stone production. Instead of discarding the coffee waste, it is processed and integrated as a functional and aesthetic component, achieving both waste elimination and resource recovery.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional artificial stone production methods are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but waste materials cannot be effectively incorporated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material by combining coffee grounds with resin and other additives to form artificial stone. This composite approach allows the integration of waste coffee material with binding agents to produce a new material with both structural integrity and aesthetic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of coffee grounds through processing steps such as drying, size reduction, and chemical treatment with resin and additives. These parameter changes enable the coffee waste to be successfully incorporated into the artificial stone matrix.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If used ground coffee is used as main component in artificial stone, then environmental sustainability is improved, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the manufacturing process into distinct sequential steps: drying coffee grounds, size reduction, mixing with resin and additives, molding, curing, and finishing. This segmentation makes the complex process more manageable and systematically controllable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of coffee grounds before main production, including drying and size reduction. This preliminary action prepares the waste material in advance, making it easier to incorporate into the artificial stone and simplifying the overall manufacturing flow.
4Shape
If coffee grounds are distributed evenly throughout the stone, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but mixing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves homogeneous distribution of coffee grounds throughout the artificial stone matrix through thorough mixing processes. This homogeneity ensures uniform aesthetic appearance and consistent properties throughout the product, while the mixing complexity is managed through systematic processing steps.
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 method results in artificial stones with a unique pattern and pleasant aroma, effectively utilizing waste coffee, offering a sustainable solution for interior decoration while maintaining durability and water resistance.
Implementation Method 1
adding peroxide as a catalyst, mixing all materials for 5 minutes or combining thoroughly, and then leaving the mixtures to form a gel
Implementation Method 2
Removing the product from the mold and drying them with heat to accelerate a complete setting
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses the method for producing artificial stone using used ground coffee including the steps of drying the used ground coffee; mixing and stirring resin, color and metal salt initiator thoroughly; then mixing used ground coffee, calcium carbonate or aluminum trihydrate (ATH) or mixtures of both calcium carbonate and aluminum trihydrate and peroxide with mixtures of resin, color and metal salt initiator; then stirring whole mixtures and leaving the mixtures to form a gel; next filling the mold with gelated mixtures and leaving them for setting at room temperature; removing and drying artificial stone in an oven to complete the reaction and to achieve the excellent product; then coating products with waterproof agents (Water Repellant; Water Repellant Preservative) or coated with resin as lacquer.