Composite for producing filmless laminates

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing laminates for sailing, which involve plastic films and reinforcing fibers, are complex and require multiple adhesive layers, making the process inefficient and prone to fiber slippage, and do not optimize for low weight and high tear resistance simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A composite of a thermoplastic film with a thermally activatable crosslinking agent is used, where the film is initially bonded to a textile layer at a low temperature for adhesive properties without losing thermoplasticity, and then reactivated at a higher temperature to provide duroplastic bonding, eliminating the need for separate adhesive layers and enhancing fiber integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple adhesive layers and plastic films are used to bond textile layers, then bonding reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional layers (adhesive layer and carrier film) into a single integrated composite structure. The adhesive layer is directly applied to the carrier film to form a unified component that performs both adhesive bonding and structural support functions, eliminating the need for separate adhesive applications and reducing manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier film serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support, provides a base for the adhesive layer, and contributes to the overall laminate integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall manufacturing process while maintaining bonding reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If thermoplastic adhesive is used to bond layers, then ease of manufacture is improved, but fiber slippage occurs reducing manufacturing precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidfiber slippage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a carrier film and an adhesive layer working together. The carrier film provides structural stability and mechanical support, while the adhesive layer ensures strong bonding between textile layers. This composite approach prevents fiber slippage by distributing stresses effectively and maintaining precise fiber positioning during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If adhesive layers are applied to bond textile layers, then bonding strength is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidlaminate weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a thin-film carrier film structure that provides sufficient mechanical support and bonding capability with minimal weight. The adhesive layer is applied as a thin coating that achieves strong bonding between textile layers without adding excessive weight, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio for sailing applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of manufacture

If thermoplastic film is used as carrier and adhesive, then ease of manufacture is improved, but at high temperature crosslinker activates causing unwanted duroplastic properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidprocessing temperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the functional properties into distinct layers: the carrier film provides structural support and contains the crosslinker, while the adhesive layer provides bonding functionality. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each layer's properties and enables controlled activation of crosslinking at specific temperatures without compromising the thermoplastic adhesive properties during initial bonding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach simplifies the laminate production process, reduces weight, improves tear resistance, and enhances the mechanical properties of the sailcloth by firmly integrating reinforcing fibers, while maintaining flexibility and allowing for additional coatings, resulting in a lightweight, high-strength filmless laminate.

Implementation Method 1

applying heat at a first temperature, which softens the film and creates an adhesive effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal softening: Heating

Implementation Method 2

The crosslinker is activated by pressure and/or temperature and, by crosslinking the plastic, causes the individual layers to bond together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal activation: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the crosslinker is activated at this second temperature, whereby the activation of the crosslinker gives the film thermosetting properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3576939B1Composite for producing filmless laminates
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 DIMENSION POLYANT

AI summary

The invention relates to a composite for producing filmless canvas laminates having an adhesive film and a textile layer having (a) a thermoplastic plastic film as an adhesive film, which contains a cross-linking agent, which can be thermally activated, dispersed therein, as a carrier and (b) a textile layer, which is adhesively connected to the plastic film, in which the plastic film and the textile layer are adhesively connected to each other by heat exposure at a first temperature, which does not activate the cross-linking agent and the composite can be connected to a substrate by heat exposure at a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature and causes cross-linking.