Elastomer Powder-Modified Thermoplastic Decorative Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decorative panels face challenges with plastic carriers derived from mineral oils, which are costly and ecologically critical, particularly due to the use of phthalates as plasticizers in PVC materials, limiting their application in wet rooms and outdoors.

Innovation Solution

A decorative panel with a plate-shaped carrier made from a thermoplastic composition modified with fine-grained, cross-linked elastomer powder, combining a thermoplastic matrix material with powdery elastomer material, enhancing sound insulation and moisture resistance, and using recycled elastomer materials to reduce environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional PVC-based plastic carriers are used, then the panels are cost-effective and easy to manufacture, but they are ecologically critical due to phthalate plasticizers and hazardous substances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidhazardous substances
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the plastic carrier by replacing PVC with thermoplastic compositions modified with elastomer powder (2-20 wt%), eliminating phthalate plasticizers and hazardous substances while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining thermoplastic matrix material with elastomer powder particles, achieving both ecological sustainability and ease of manufacture without hazardous additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If mineral oil-based plastic materials are used, then the panels are cost-effective, but they are costly and ecologically critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidecological impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material source parameters from mineral oil-based plastics to bio-based or recycled thermoplastic materials, reducing ecological impact while maintaining cost-effectiveness through sustainable sourcing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates recycled elastomer materials (2-20 wt%) into the thermoplastic composition, recovering valuable materials from waste streams and reducing the need for virgin mineral oil-based plastics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of manufacture

If PVC with phthalate plasticizers is used, then the panels are easy to produce, but they are ecologically critical and hazardous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of productionVSAvoidecological criticality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates phthalate plasticizers and hazardous substances from the material composition, replacing them with safe thermoplastic-elastomer compositions that maintain ease of production without ecological harm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of needing plasticizers for PVC flexibility into a benefit by using elastomer powder-modified thermoplastics that provide flexibility and elasticity without requiring hazardous phthalate additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 a water-resistant, elastic, and cost-effective decorative panel with high temperature resistance, eliminating the need for plasticizers and hazardous substances, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional PVC-based panels.

Implementation Method 1

a thermoplastic composition modified with an elastomer powder by means of melt blending, wherein the thermoplastic composition includes at least one thermoplastic matrix material and at least one fine-grained, cross-linked and powdery elastomer material incorporated into the matrix material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The solution provides a water-resistant, elastic, and cost-effective decorative panel with high temperature resistance, eliminating the need for plasticizers and hazardous substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

combining a thermoplastic matrix material with powdery elastomer material, enhancing sound insulation and moisture resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentUS9512622B2Decorative panel having an elastomer powder-modified substrate board
Publication Date: 2016.12.06 AKZENTA PANEELE PROFILE GMBH

AI summary

A decorative panel comprising at least a plate-shaped carrier and a decorative layer disposed thereon and which is characterized in that the plate-shaped carrier comprises at least partially a thermoplastic composition modified with an elastomer powder by means of melt blending, wherein the thermoplastic composition includes at least one thermoplastic matrix material and at least one fine-grained, cross-linked and powdery elastomer material incorporated into the matrix material. A method for producing the foregoing decorative panel comprising applying a decorative layer to the plate-shaped carrier.