Decorative Asphaltic Membrane UV Protection via Embedded Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asphaltic membranes lack decorative features and color patterns, with previous solutions only offering single-color simulations and not allowing for varied designs or UV protection on vertical surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A three-layer asphaltic membrane with a non-stick lower layer, a waterproof intermediate layer, and a UV-protected upper layer featuring a printing process on a polyethylene sheet for decorative designs, allowing for application on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If asphaltic membranes are painted with epoxy paints to achieve decorative appearance, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but UV resistance and color stability deteriorate due to bleaching
Solution Approach 1:
The printing is applied to the polyethylene sheet before lamination with the asphaltic membrane, embedding the decorative pattern within the membrane structure. This preliminary action ensures the design is protected by the membrane layers themselves, eliminating UV exposure to the printed surface and preventing bleaching while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed polyethylene sheet is nested within the multi-layer asphaltic membrane structure, with the printing embedded between protective layers. This nesting protects the decorative elements from environmental damage while preserving the aesthetic appearance, resolving the contradiction between visual appeal and durability.
2Ease of manufacture
If single-color coatings are applied to asphaltic membranes, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but design versatility and aesthetic options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of color from single-color to multi-color by applying printed patterns with different chromatic designs on the polyethylene sheet. This allows diverse aesthetic options including bricks, tiles, lawn, wood, stone, logos, and texts while maintaining the straightforward lamination manufacturing process, thus achieving both versatility and simplicity.
3Device complexity
If asphaltic membranes are designed for horizontal surfaces only, then structural simplicity is maintained, but application versatility on vertical structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The asphaltic membrane is designed with a multi-layer structure including a printed polyethylene sheet embedded within, providing both decorative functionality and structural integrity. This universal design enables successful application on both horizontal and vertical surfaces, expanding adaptability while maintaining relatively simple construction through lamination of standard materials.
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 solution provides an asphaltic membrane with resistant, multi-colored, and patterned designs that mimic various materials and logos, offering UV protection and aesthetic appeal on vertical structures.
Implementation Method 1
a third upper layer that grants protection to the intermediate layer and, in our case, provides the desired design pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A decorative asphaltic membrane that comprises a lower non-stick layer; an intermediate layer composed of a support between two layers of plastic and oxidized modified bitumen wherein the support is a polyethilene; an upper layer composed of three sheets: a lower metallic sheet, preferably aluminium, an intermediate polyester sheet and an upper polyethilene sheet wherein the polyester sheet provides a superficial printing with different chromatic patterns on its lower face. The printing imitates, not exclusively, bricks, tiles, lawn, wood, stone, texts, sports logotypes or those belonging to institutions and/or enterprises. The manufacturing process of the asphaltic membrane comprises the steps of:a. printing the lower face of the polyester sheet with a flexographic process or a hollow engraving process;b. drying the printing;c. laminating said printed polyester sheet between a polyethilene sheet and a support sheet forming the upper layer; andd. laminating said upper layer with an intermediate layer and a lower non-stick layer, wherein the intermediate layer is, in turn, a lamination of a polyethilene sheet between two layers of plastic or oxidized modified bitumen.