Self-Adhering Flame Retardant Fabric Patch for Uniform Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flame-resistant garments, such as military uniforms and firefighter gear, can be compromised by small tears or holes, which can expose wearers to severe burns if a flame passes through, highlighting the need for effective repair methods that restore flame-resistant integrity.
Innovation Solution
A self-adhering flame retardant patch with a sheet of flame-resistant fabric, bonded with a halogenated pressure-sensitive adhesive, aromatic polyamide fibers, and a silicone-coated polyethylene coated paper, designed to match the color and pattern of the garment, providing a secure and durable repair solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional adhesive is used to bond the patch to the garment, then the patch can be attached to the fabric, but the adhesive may not withstand multiple laundering cycles and the flame retardant properties may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining flame retardant compounds with pressure-sensitive adhesive materials to create a multi-functional adhesive layer. This composite adhesive simultaneously provides strong bonding capability that withstands laundering cycles and maintains flame retardant properties, resolving the contradiction between adhesion durability and flame retardant property maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by incorporating specific flame retardant compounds at controlled concentrations. This parameter change transforms the adhesive from a simple bonding agent to a flame-retardant-enhanced adhesive that maintains both bonding strength and fire resistance through multiple laundering cycles.
2Reliability
If the patch is made with thick flame-resistant fabric to ensure burn protection, then the flame resistant integrity is improved, but the patch becomes bulky and difficult to apply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film technology by using a relatively thin sheet of flame-resistant fabric that maintains adequate burn protection while being flexible and easy to apply. The thin film approach eliminates bulkiness while preserving the essential flame resistant integrity, making the patch convenient for field application.
3Strength
If the adhesive layer is made thicker to ensure strong bonding, then the adhesion strength is improved, but the flame retardant performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by creating a composite adhesive system where flame retardant compounds are integrated within the adhesive matrix. This composite structure ensures that even as the adhesive layer provides sufficient bonding strength, the flame retardant compounds distributed throughout the layer maintain fire resistance performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the bonding function and flame retardant function into a single integrated adhesive layer. By combining adhesive polymers with flame retardant compounds in the same layer, the system achieves both strong bonding and fire protection without requiring separate layers, thus maintaining flame retardant performance while ensuring adequate adhesion strength.
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 patch effectively closes tears, maintains flame retardancy, and adheres securely through multiple laundering cycles, ensuring the garment's burn protection integrity is restored and sustained.
Implementation Method 1
a flame retardant pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to the bottom side of the sheet of fabric
Implementation Method 2
a silicone coated, polyethylene coated paper in the range of 37% to 43% of the flame retardant pressure sensitive adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A flame retardant patch may include a sheet of fabric having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the sheet of fabric is flame resistant. The flame retardant patch may further include a flame retardant pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to the bottom side of the sheet of fabric.