Elastomeric Adhesive Layer for Stretchable Flocked Textiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stretchable and elastic materials in fashions often suffer from adhesive layer failures when stressed, leading to cracks, detachment, and distortion, which degrade both the aesthetic and functional quality of textile designs.

Innovation Solution

A self-supporting elastomeric adhesive layer with a continuous elastomeric film between two adhesive films, applied over a substrate or flock fibers, ensuring the adhesive remains intact and functional even under stress, using a process that embeds fiber ends into the adhesive and applies heat and pressure for bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a traditional adhesive layer is used to bind textile design to stretchable material, then the textile design can be attached to the material, but the adhesive layer splits and cracks when stretched, leading to detachment and distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive layer integrityVSAvoidadhesive layer performance under stress

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the adhesive by incorporating elastomeric materials with specific properties (elongation at break of at least 20%, preferably at least 50%). This transforms the adhesive from a rigid, brittle material into a flexible, elastic material that can withstand stretching forces without cracking or detaching, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining adhesive integrity and performing reliably under stress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining elastomeric base material with adhesive components. This composite structure integrates the flexibility and elasticity of elastomers with the bonding capabilities of adhesives, producing an adhesive layer that simultaneously achieves strong attachment and resistance to splitting/cracking under stress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the adhesive layer is stressed during stretching, then the textile design can accommodate stretchable material deformation, but the adhesive layer fails to return to its original shape, causing distortion and detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive layer flexibilityVSAvoidadhesive layer shape recovery

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by selecting elastomeric materials that exhibit dynamic mechanical properties - they can deform under stress and then dynamically recover their original shape when the stress is removed. The elastomeric adhesive layer's ability to stretch and rebound maintains both flexibility during use and shape stability after deformation, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and compositional stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If cracks and splits form in the adhesive layer, then the textile design may detach from the material, but the aesthetic and functional quality of the design is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetextile design attachmentVSAvoidvisual defects and functional degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs beforehand cushioning by pre-formulating the adhesive layer with elastomeric materials that have high elongation and recovery properties. This preventive approach cushions the adhesive against the harmful effects of stretching forces before cracks can form, eliminating the root cause of both detachment and aesthetic degradation rather than addressing symptoms after they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 maintains the adhesive's original shape and functionality, preventing detachment and distortion, thus enhancing the durability and appearance of stretchable textile designs.

Implementation Method 1

the adhesive layer binding the design to the stretchable material tends to split and/or crack when stressed... The failure of the adhesive layer to return to its original shape and/or size after the stress causing force is removed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9012005B2Flocked stretchable design or transfer including thermoplastic film and method for making the same

Publication Date: 2015.04.21 HIGH VOLTAGE GRAPHICS INC

AI summary

The invention is directed generally to stretchable flocked articles and/or assemblies, more specifically stretchable flocked articles and/or assemblies having at least one elastomeric adhesive and a method for making the same. One aspect of the invention is an elastomeric textile product comprising a textile design and a self-supporting, elastomeric adhesive layer. In one preferred embodiment, the self-supporting, elastomeric adhesive layer comprises an elastomeric film position between opposing first and second adhesive films.