Colored Polymeric Sand for Pavers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing colored sand products for paver gaps often have inconsistent colors and are difficult to produce, lacking the aesthetic appeal and value enhancement desired by homeowners for their landscaping and hardscaping projects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of pigment to sand, followed by a first polymeric coating, such as an acrylate or acrylic, and a second polymeric coating, like a copolymer of vinyl acetate and ethylene, to create a colored, polymeric-coated sand that can be matched or contrasted with paver colors, enhancing adhesion and locking between pavers when wetted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single polymeric coating is applied to colored sand, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the adhesion and locking properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric coating is divided into two distinct layers: a first polymeric coating applied to the colored sand, and a second polymeric coating applied over the first. This segmentation allows each layer to perform different functions - the first layer provides color adhesion while the second layer enhances locking properties, thereby improving overall reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite polymeric materials consisting of two different polymeric coatings with distinct properties. The first polymeric coating and second polymeric coating are chemically and physically different, creating a composite structure that combines the advantages of both materials - better color adhesion from the first layer and enhanced locking from the second layer.
2Ease of manufacture
If pigment is applied to dry sand, then the mixing process is simple, but the color consistency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The sand is wetted with water before the pigment is added. This preliminary action of adding water creates a damp environment that allows pigment particles to adhere more uniformly to the sand surface during mixing, resulting in consistent color distribution while maintaining a relatively simple mixing process.
3Reliability
If polymeric material is added to increase locking, then the adhesion between pavers improves, but the aesthetic appeal is reduced due to inconsistent color
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric material is segmented into two functional layers: the first polymeric coating that binds the pigment and provides color, and the second polymeric coating that enhances locking properties. This segmentation ensures that the aesthetic function (color) and the mechanical function (locking) are provided by different layers, allowing both to perform optimally without compromising either aesthetic appeal or locking nature.
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 resulting colored polymeric sand provides improved aesthetic appeal and stability between pavers, with consistent color and enhanced locking properties, addressing the challenges of previous products by ensuring better adhesion and increased aesthetic value.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of pigment particles adhered to the base particle by a first polymeric material
Implementation Method 2
a second polymeric material at least partially coating the first polymeric material
Implementation Method 3
the water softens and dissolves the water soluble component, thus exposing the second polymeric material
Implementation Method 4
the sand can be wetted, e.g., sprayed with water, packing and locking the sand together
Data Source
AI summary
Colored polymeric sand that is made by mixing a pigment onto sand to form colored sand, applying an acrylate-based polymeric coating on the colored sand, drying the acrylate-based polymeric coating, and applying a second polymeric material on the dried acrylate-based polymeric coating. The second polymeric material can have an ingredient (e.g., coating) that is water soluble. The resulting colored sand product can be used, for example, between pavers.