Fabric printing method for producing sparkling fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating sparkling fabric rely on glitter, which can be flammable, prone to loss, and limited in design variability, and do not provide a smooth texture.
Innovation Solution
A fabric printing method involving adhesive application to sparkling foil paper, forming a laminate with fabric, and removing the foil paper to create a sparkling fabric without glitter, using a distribution of adhesive pieces to attach a design layer with geometric forms, resulting in a shiny and appealing fabric.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If glitter is applied to fabric to create sparkling effect, then the fabric achieves reflective and sparkling appearance, but the fabric becomes flammable and the glitter particles can be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful glitter particles from the fabric surface while retaining the desired sparkling effect. The adhesive pieces are removed along with the glitter they were carrying, leaving only the adhesive residue on the fabric that maintains the sparkling appearance without the flammability hazard of loose glitter particles
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive pieces serve as temporary carriers for the glitter particles. They perform their function of providing sparkle and then are removed, leaving the fabric with a durable adhesive-based sparkling effect that eliminates the need for permanent glitter application
2Illumination intensity
If glitter is sprayed or applied to fabric, then sparkling effect is achieved, but the texture of the fabric becomes rough and integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the glitter particles with adhesive pieces to form a unified structure. The adhesive acts as a binding medium that integrates the glitter particles into a cohesive layer that can be applied to and removed from the fabric as a single unit, preventing texture disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive pieces function as thin film structures that carry the glitter particles. These flexible adhesive films conform to the fabric surface without creating rough texture, and their thin nature allows them to be removed cleanly without compromising fabric integrity
3Illumination intensity
If traditional glitter methods are used, then sparkling fabric can be produced, but design variability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different adhesive pieces with varying properties (size, shape, adhesive strength, thermal response) to different locations on the fabric. This allows for localized control of the sparkling effect, enabling diverse design patterns and configurations that go beyond traditional uniform glitter application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics by using adhesive pieces that can respond to environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) or mechanical stress. This creates sparkling effects that change over time or with movement, significantly expanding design possibilities compared to static glitter applications
4Quantity of substance
If adhesive is distributed as many small pieces per cm2, then complete coverage and sparkle density is achieved, but the complexity of adhesive distribution control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a master template or stencil that defines the desired adhesive piece distribution pattern. This template is replicated across the fabric surface, automatically generating the required high-density adhesive piece arrangement without requiring complex real-time control systems for each individual piece placement
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 method produces a sparkling fabric that is non-flammable, maintains texture integrity, and allows for greater design variability, appearing shiny and sparkling without the drawbacks of traditional glitter-based methods.
Implementation Method 1
applying adhesive to a sparkling foil paper to form an adhesive base paper
Implementation Method 2
maintaining the temperature of the adhesive above a melting point of the adhesive
Implementation Method 3
cooling the fabric laminate until the adhesive dries
Implementation Method 4
the distribution of adhesive and the outer layer of the sparkling foil paper to which adhesive has been applied remain attached to the fabric
Data Source
AI summary
A sparkling fabric includes: a fabric substrate; and a tri-layer adhered to the fabric substrate. The tri-layer includes: an adhesive layer that adheres the tri-layer to the fabric substrate; an exposed design layer; and a metal plating layer between the exposed design layer and the adhesive layer. The tri-layer is distributed as a plurality of separable and identifiable tri-layer pieces across the fabric substrate such that the distribution of tri-layer pieces has a density on the order of 15-25 pieces per centimeter squared (pcs/cm2) and a size of a piece is less than 1 millimeter (mm).