Elastomer-Waste Watch Components With UV-Stable Mechanical Properties

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watch and jewelry components made from traditional elastomers are expensive and difficult to manage environmentally, failing to meet ISO 14001 standards due to high elastomer content.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating at least 50% elastomer and less than 50% elastomeric powder derived from waste into the composition, ensuring chemical compatibility and mechanical properties similar to traditional elastomers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional elastomers are used to manufacture watch or jewelry components, then mechanical properties and UV resistance are achieved, but cost increases and environmental management becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidenvironmental management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compositional parameters by limiting elastomer content to maximum 50% and incorporating at least 30% thermoplastic polymer, transforming the material from traditional high-elastomer formulations to a balanced composite that maintains performance while improving environmental manageability and cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining elastomer with thermoplastic polymer, where the elastomer provides mechanical properties and UV resistance while the thermoplastic polymer improves processability and environmental management, achieving a synergistic effect that resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If large quantity of elastomer is used in component manufacture, then mechanical properties are maintained, but cost increases and environmental standards compliance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidelastomer content
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the quantity parameter by capping elastomer content at 50% maximum and introducing thermoplastic polymer as a complementary material, reducing the total quantity of elastomer required while maintaining tensile strength through the composite structure and optimized formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If traditional elastomeric materials are used, then mechanical properties are achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a cost-effective composite material by combining elastomer (maximum 50%) with thermoplastic polymer (minimum 30%), where the thermoplastic component reduces material cost while the elastomer maintains tensile strength, achieving a balance between performance and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the compositional parameters to reduce cost by limiting expensive elastomer content to 50% maximum and incorporating cheaper thermoplastic polymers, while maintaining the minimum 30% thermoplastic content to ensure adequate mechanical properties at lower cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Results in economical, eco-friendly components with identical mechanical properties and UV resistance, while adhering to environmental standards and avoiding skin irritation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one elastomeric powder derived from elastomeric waste and chemically compatible with said elastomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical compatibility: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The resulting watch or jewelry components also exhibit UV resistance identical to that of components made from traditional elastomers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV resistance: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4420552B1Timepiece or jewellery component and method for manufacturing such a component
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 BIWI SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a watch or jewelry component at least partially made of an elastomeric material comprising, by weight, at least 50% of an elastomer and less than 50% of an elastomeric powder derived from elastomeric waste and chemically compatible with the elastomer. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such components.