Extrusion Coated Structural Members Resisting Cracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ready-to-assemble structures lack strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal, with many coating materials exhibiting poor adhesion and limited design flexibility due to complex geometries, leading to low-quality products.

Innovation Solution

A structural system featuring a substrate with a thermoplastic resin coating extruded onto medium-density fiber board, oriented strand board, or wood-plastic composites, with protrusions and recesses coated to enhance strength and aesthetic appeal, allowing for increased thickness and design complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional coating materials are applied to substrate components, then adhesion and final appearance are improved, but the coating fails on complex geometries with cuts, grooves, and channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating adhesionVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the application method parameter from conventional coating to extrusion coating, allowing the coating material to be forced into complex geometries under pressure, thereby maintaining both adhesion reliability and design flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an extrusion coating process as an intermediary method between the coating material and the substrate, enabling the coating to conform to complex geometries by being extruded into cuts, grooves, and channels before curing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If coating material is applied to enhance strength and durability, then structural performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the coating application process with the extrusion成型 process, allowing the coating material to be applied and formed in a single operation rather than as a separate step, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining strength enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The extrusion coating process applies coating material directly to the substrate in the desired locations during the forming process itself, eliminating the need for separate coating equipment and operations, thus reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 extrusion-coated structural system exhibits a peak stress increase of at least 50% and improved durability, ease of assembly, and enhanced aesthetic appearance, while being cost-effective to manufacture and ship.

Implementation Method 1

a coating material extrusion coated onto at least a portion of the substrate, wherein said coating material comprises a thermoplastic resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoplastic resin extrusion coating: Extrusion

Implementation Method 2

thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature in the range of from about 60 to about 150 °C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoplastic resin bonding: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3058151B1Coated structural members having improved resistance to cracking
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 EASTMAN CHEM CO
  • EP3058151B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3058151B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3058151B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Structural systems having coated structural members with enhanced durability are provided, along with methods of making and using the same. Structural members including at least one coating material applied to a substrate that comprises at least one protrusion may exhibit increased strength and/or durability and may be less likely fail during use. For example, structural members as described herein exhibit an improved resistance to cracking when a force is applied to the protrusion. Structural systems according to embodiments of the present invention can be suitable for use in a variety of applications, including in ready-to-assemble furniture or cabinetry applications or as building and construction materials such as wall board, flooring, trim, and the like.