Contamination Control Mat With Transparent Protective Coating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current contamination control flooring solutions, such as polymeric matting and peel-off mats, are either too costly and permanent or ineffective and wasteful, failing to provide adequate short-term contamination control while generating hazardous waste and potentially reintroducing contaminants into controlled environments.
Innovation Solution
A contamination control mat featuring a 1-2 mm thick glass fibre reinforced polymer support layer coated with a 0.5-2.5 mm thick transparent or translucent polymeric contamination control layer, allowing for effective contamination trapping and antimicrobial action, with printing on the support layer for visibility and guidance, and a flexible design for easy installation and disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymeric matting is used for long-term contamination control, then contamination control effectiveness is improved, but cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flooring system is divided into modular tiles that can be independently handled, installed, and replaced. Each tile is a self-contained unit with contamination control properties, allowing for simplified installation and maintenance compared to large-scale polymeric matting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thickness parameter from traditional thick polymeric matting (7mm or more) to a thinner composite structure (total thickness around 3-5mm), while maintaining contamination control effectiveness through the use of glass fibre reinforced polymer and transparent contamination control layers.
2Ease of operation
If peel off mats are used for short-term contamination control, then installation complexity is reduced, but contamination control effectiveness and waste management worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The flooring system is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable modular tile system that can be quickly installed and removed without permanent installation infrastructure. This allows for short-term contamination control needs while maintaining effectiveness through proper material selection and design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material structure combining glass fibre reinforced polymer support layer with transparent contamination control layers. This composite approach provides both structural integrity for easy handling and effective contamination control properties, overcoming the limitations of simple peel-off mats.
3Reliability
If thick polymeric matting is used, then contamination control effectiveness is improved, but weight and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention fundamentally changes the thickness parameter from traditional thick polymeric matting (7mm or more) to a thinner composite structure (total thickness around 3-5mm), significantly reducing weight while maintaining contamination control effectiveness through advanced material composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of glass fibre reinforced polymer composite material provides high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing the flooring to be thin and lightweight yet structurally sound and effective for contamination control, unlike traditional thick polymeric mats that are heavy and difficult to manoeuvre.
4Illumination intensity
If transparent contamination control layer is used, then printing visibility is improved, but material strength may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent contamination control layer is combined with a glass fibre reinforced polymer support structure, creating a composite that maintains both the transparency needed for printing visibility and the structural strength required for durability and contamination control effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers of the composite flooring have different properties optimized for their specific functions: the transparent upper layer optimizes for printing visibility and contamination control, while the glass fibre reinforced support layer optimizes for structural strength and rigidity.
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 mat provides effective contamination control with reduced material usage and cost, improved handling, and reduced waste generation, while preventing local depressions and facilitating easy installation on uneven surfaces, while maintaining printing visibility and antimicrobial efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The polymeric matting comprises a single layer of polymer, usually a specially blended polymer formulation comprising polyester plasticisers leading to a tack that can attract and bind contaminants
Implementation Method 2
the polymeric contamination control layer is 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm thick, and is transparent or translucent, so that the print on the support layer is visible through the polymeric contamination control layer
Data Source
AI summary
A contamination control mat 10 comprising a support layer 16 which is coated on a top surface with a polymeric contamination control layer 17, wherein the support layer 16 comprises a glass fiber reinforced polymer that is printed on a top surface, the polymeric contamination control layer 17 is transparent or translucent, and the printed surface is visible through the polymeric contamination control layer. This provides a thin yet rigid and stable mat 10 that can also display printed information that is protected from damage. The mat 10 is primarily used to meet contamination control needs.