Erasable Writable Surface with Hard Superstrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Erasable writable materials used in applications like dry-erase boards are prone to staining and ghosting, especially when exposed to permanent and non-permanent marking substances for extended periods, despite years of development.
Innovation Solution
The development of an improved erasable writable material featuring a flexible vinyl or polyvinylchloride substrate with an etched receiver surface and a transparent polyester film, combined with a clear superstrate, which enhances surface energy and durometer hardness to prevent ghosting and staining, along with a pressure and heat-activated adhesive system for secure mounting and repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional plastic materials and films are used for dry-erase white-boards, then the material can be written upon and erased without additional chemicals, but the material is susceptible to staining and ghosting when exposed to permanent and non-permanent marking substances for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface energy of the plastic substrate through chemical treatment or coating application. This changes the surface characteristics to prevent marking substances from adhering permanently, thereby resolving the staining and ghosting issue while maintaining the erasable writable functionality over extended exposure periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the base plastic substrate with specialized surface coatings or treatments that provide stain and ghost resistance. This composite structure maintains the flexibility and erasable properties of the plastic while adding the protective functionality needed to prevent long-term marking substance adhesion
2Manufacturing precision
If the surface energy of the receiver surface is increased to exceed 38-45 mN/m to improve graphic element receptivity, then the surface can better receive and adhere printable graphic elements, but this may increase susceptibility to staining from marking substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different surface energy characteristics in different regions or layers of the material. The receiver surface maintains high surface energy for graphic element adhesion, while the marking surface or protective layer has modified surface properties that prevent marking substance staining, thus resolving the contradiction between graphic receptivity and stain resistance
3Reliability
If a clear superstrate is applied to enhance durometer hardness and prevent ghosting, then the material gains improved resilience against marking substances, but the device complexity and manufacturing process are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple functions into a single integrated layer or treatment. Rather than adding separate protective layers for hardness and stain resistance, the invention integrates these functionalities into the superstrate or surface treatment itself, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining the protective benefits
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 material effectively prevents staining and ghosting, ensuring long-term durability and resilience against marking substances, even after extended exposure, while maintaining high optical clarity and ease of installation.
Implementation Method 1
The receiver surface is configured, treated, and/or adjusted to be etched or micro-etched and to increase a surface energy thereof to exceed about 38 to about 45 millinewtons per meter (mN/m)
Implementation Method 2
the liner that is coated with a polyethylene and which is also siliconized to reduce surface energy to approximately between 24 and 33 millinewtons per meter
Implementation Method 3
The collapse of the air channels is and/or may be enabled by the application of pressure and/or heat that causes one or more of the adhesive to fill the channels and/or striations and the hollow spheres or elements to be broken
Implementation Method 4
The marking side is configured to have a durometer hardness exceeding approximately 79 on the Shore D scale
Data Source
AI summary
An erasable writable material for large format applications is disclosed, and includes a cast polyvinylchloride film with a mount surface opposite an etched receiver surface. Also incorporated is a transparent polyester film that has a marking side with a hardness exceeding approximately shore D 79 and an opposite seal side, hermetically laminated to the receiver surface. The marking side includes a clear superstrate that has a hardness exceeding approximately shore D 90, which is applied to the marking side of the polyester film to lower surface energy below about 24 millinewtons per meter. The receiver surface is treated to have a surface energy exceeding about 45 millinewtons per meter, to enable improved adherence of printed and preformed graphic elements, which are encapsulated when laminated between the PET film and receiver surface. The superstrate includes a perfluoropolyether, a polyurethane, an acrylated polyurethane, and/or an acrylate resin to harden the material.