Decorated Panel Production via Belt Press Shaping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production methods for decorated wall or floor panels often lack efficiency and adaptability, particularly in achieving high stability and precise surface quality, with existing methods struggling to combine materials effectively for optimal properties.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a pourable carrier material shaped between belt-like conveyors under temperature influence, compressed using a two-belt press, and treated for electrostatic discharge before digital printing and protective layer application, allowing for precise control over surface properties and material composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional manufacturing methods are used for decorated panels, then production costs and environmental impact are reduced, but manufacturing precision and surface quality are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling temperature and pressure parameters during the forming process to achieve precise surface quality. The heating device maintains specific temperature ranges while the pressing device applies controlled pressure, transforming the material state to enable high-precision surface finishing without compromising manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical forming methods with a combination of thermal and pressure-controlled forming. Instead of purely mechanical compression, the system uses heated pressing devices that combine thermal softening with controlled pressure, enabling superior surface quality while maintaining production efficiency and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If higher line speeds are used to improve productivity, then production efficiency increases, but manufacturing precision and surface quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline speedVSAvoidthickness precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous heating and pressing action throughout the forming process, ensuring that the material remains in the optimal state for forming even at high line speeds. The continuous application of heat and pressure maintains consistent material properties, enabling high productivity without sacrificing thickness precision or surface quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts temperature and pressure parameters to compensate for higher line speeds. By increasing the heating temperature and optimizing pressure application timing, the process maintains material flow and forming precision even at elevated production speeds, resolving the contradiction between productivity and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If complex multi-layer structures are used to achieve optimal properties, then panel performance improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel stabilityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional layers into a single integrated forming process. The heating device, pressing device, and conveying system work together as a unified process that simultaneously achieves multiple objectives: forming the carrier, applying the decorative layer, and creating the protective layer. This integration reduces process complexity while maintaining panel stability through coordinated multi-layer formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary heating and conditioning of the carrier material before subsequent layer application. By pre-heating the carrier to the optimal temperature range and preparing the surface in advance, the process simplifies subsequent layer application and reduces overall process complexity. The preliminary action ensures that subsequent layers bond properly and achieve optimal properties without requiring complex multi-step procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method enables the production of highly adaptable, stable, and high-quality panels with improved surface smoothness and line speeds, achieving precise thickness and surface quality while reducing production costs and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

Shaping the carrier material under the influence of temperature to form a web-shaped carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature influence: Heating

Implementation Method 2

Compressing the carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

Treating the carrier under the influence of temperature and pressure using a double-belt press

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature treatment: Heating

Implementation Method 4

Cooling the carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 5

Treating the carrier for electrostatic discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentEP3401115B1Method for producing a decorated wall or floor panel
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 AKZENTA PANEELE PROFILE GMBH
  • EP3401115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3401115B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3401115B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention proposes a method for producing a decorated wall or floor panel, comprising the following process steps: a) providing a pourable carrier material (20), in particular a granulate; b) arranging the carrier material (20) between two belt-like conveying means (12, 14); c) shaping the carrier material (20) under the influence of temperature to form a web-shaped carrier (36); d) compressing the carrier (36); e) treating the carrier (36) under the influence of temperature and pressure using a double-belt press; f) cooling the carrier (36); g) optionally applying a decorative substrate to at least a partial area of ​​the carrier (36); h) applying a decoration replicating a decorative template to at least a partial area of ​​the carrier (36); i) applying a protective layer to at least a partial area of ​​the decoration.j) optionally structuring the protective layer to introduce pores and/or the edge region of the carrier to form connecting elements, and k) optionally treating the carrier (36) for electrostatic discharge prior to one of the aforementioned process steps. Such a process allows for the particularly efficient production of a wall or floor panel, and furthermore enables the manufactured panel to be particularly stable, adaptable, and of high quality. The present invention further relates to a device for producing a decorated wall or floor panel, as well as a wall or floor panel produced according to a previously described process, wherein a plate-shaped carrier (36) has a profile, in particular as a connecting element, at least in an edge region. The plate-shaped carrier (36) can be made of a materialwhich is based on a WPC material or a PVC material.