Drinking or eating vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decoration processes for drinking and eating vessels, such as dry toner heat transfer, result in products with poor resistance to mechanical abrasion due to the lack of adequate adhesion between the polymeric coating and the decorative layer.
Innovation Solution
A polymeric coating with a matting agent, such as silica, is applied to the vessel's outer surface, followed by curing and the application of a dry toner image, enhancing the adhesion and durability of the decorative layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dry toner heat transfer process is used for decoration, then personalisation and short runs are enabled, but resistance to mechanical abrasion is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a polymeric coating layer over the dry toner image, creating a composite structure where the toner layer provides decorative functionality and the polymeric coating provides mechanical protection. This composite approach allows the decoration to maintain both personalisation capability and improved abrasion resistance through the protective outer layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric coating acts as an intermediary layer between the dry toner image and the external environment. This intermediate layer protects the toner from mechanical abrasion while allowing the toner to retain its decorative function, effectively mediating between the need for personalisation and the need for durability.
2Reliability
If polymeric coating is applied to improve adhesion, then durability is enhanced, but curing temperature requirements increase process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies particular polymeric coating materials that can be cured at controlled temperatures, optimizing the balance between adhesion performance and process complexity. By selecting coatings with appropriate curing characteristics, the patent achieves durable decorations while managing the complexity of the curing process through parameter optimization.
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 significantly improves the resistance to mechanical abrasion and overall durability of the decorative layer, allowing for long-lasting designs even under repeated washing and use.
Implementation Method 1
the polymeric coating comprises a polymer formed by curing a coating mixture on the outer surface of the drinking or eating vessel
Implementation Method 2
said coating mixture comprising a matting agent
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a drinking or eating vessel comprising an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving liquid or solid food and an outer surface that supports a polymeric coating and a decorative layer, wherein the polymeric coating comprises a polymer formed by curing a coating mixture on the outer surface of the drinking or eating vessel, said coating mixture comprising a matting agent, wherein the polymeric coating has an inner surface in contact with the drinking or eating vessel and an outer surface in contact with the decorative layer, and wherein the decorative layer comprises a dry toner image applied to the outer surface of the polymeric coating. Also provided is a corresponding process for producing the drinking or eating vessel.