Decorative Panels with Embedded Information for Easier Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers and installers often lack knowledge about proper installation and material characteristics of decorative panels, leading to complications and limitations in making subsequent changes, especially with floating floors.
Innovation Solution
Decorative panels are equipped with information carrying elements, such as printed or embedded readable and machine-readable information, providing panel-related characteristics directly on the panel surface, allowing users to access installation instructions and material information during and after installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If panel information is provided only on original packaging, then packaging can be simple and inexpensive, but information becomes unavailable after packaging is discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information carrier with the panel itself by printing or embedding information directly on the panel surface. This combines the function of the panel with the function of an information carrier, eliminating the need for separate packaging information and ensuring information persists throughout the panel's lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel serves its own information delivery function by having information printed or embedded directly on it. The panel becomes self-sufficient in providing installation instructions, material characteristics, and other relevant information without relying on external packaging or separate documentation.
2Ease of operation
If installation instructions are not provided on the panel, then manufacturing is simpler, but users lack proper installation knowledge leading to complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-printing or pre-embedding installation instructions and material information directly on the panels during manufacturing. This ensures that all necessary information is prepared in advance and readily available to users during installation, eliminating the need for separate instruction manuals or packaging.
3Loss of information
If information is provided on removable packaging, then information can be detailed and comprehensive, but information is lost when packaging is discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the information carrier function with the panel itself, eliminating the need for separate packaging materials dedicated to information delivery. By printing or embedding information directly on the panel, the solution reduces material usage while ensuring information retention throughout the panel's lifecycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A decorative panel is provided, for example a decorative floor panel, ceiling panel or wall panel. In some embodiments, the decorative panel includes a core layer having a lower side and an upper side, a decorative top structure affixed, either directly or indirectly, to the upper side of the core layer, a backing layer affixed, either directly or indirectly, to the lower side of the core layer, and at least one readable information carrying element carrying and/or provided with information relating to at least one panel related characteristic, wherein the at least one readable information carrying element is applied onto or into at least one panel layer. Systems including at least one decorative panel, at least one digital scanner, and at least one digital location are also provided.