Printable Modular Floor Tiles UV Ink Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current floor tiles for sports and playing fields face durability issues with printed graphics, as they tend to fade or peel off due to intensive use, lacking sufficient friction and wear resistance.
Innovation Solution
A floor tile with a graphic layer using UV ink and a protective two-component polyurethane coating, applied after corona treatment of the surface, providing improved adhesion and durability, along with nonskid properties to enhance grip and resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a printing technique is used to apply graphics on floor tiles, then complex graphics and multiple colors can be applied, but the printed layer peels off or fades with intensive use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a multi-layer composite structure consisting of the plastic floor tile base, a corona-treated surface layer, a UV-cured ink layer, and a polyurethane protective coating with nonskid particles. This composite material approach allows complex graphics to be applied while each layer provides specific functionality: the corona treatment ensures adhesion, the UV ink provides graphic complexity, and the polyurethane coating ensures durability and nonskid properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the surface through corona treatment, which modifies the surface energy and roughness of the plastic tile. This parameter change enables the UV ink to adhere properly to the non-porous plastic surface, solving the adhesion problem that would otherwise cause peeling with intensive use.
2Reliability
If the plastic material is colored through and through during production, then color fading is prevented, but application of multiple colors and complex graphics becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coloring function into two parts: the base plastic material provides the background color (colored through and through for durability), while a separate UV-printed graphic layer provides complex graphics and additional colors. This segmentation allows each layer to excel at its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional through-coloring of the plastic to a multi-layered structure where the graphic information is added in another dimension (the surface layer). This allows complex graphics to be applied on top of the colored base material without requiring the entire material to be multi-colored.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a printed layer is applied on the floor tile surface, then graphic elements can be applied, but the printed layer lacks wear resistance and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite protective coating layer consisting of polyurethane resin and nonskid particles. This composite material provides both wear resistance (from the polyurethane) and friction/grip (from the nonskid particles), while the underlying UV ink layer provides the graphic elements. The corona treatment of the base surface ensures all layers adhere properly.
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 results in a robust, durable graphic image with enhanced friction and wear resistance, meeting standards for sports and playing fields, and preventing premature wear of the graphic layer.
Implementation Method 1
the main face has been pre-treated by means of a corona treatment
Implementation Method 2
the graphic layer comprising UV ink
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a floor tile arranged for use as a construction element for the manufacture of a field such as a sports or playing field, the floor tile comprising a main face which is oriented upwards after manufacture of the field and is visible to users of the field, wherein the floor tile is a plastic floor tile and on the main face is provided with a graphic layer which is arranged to provide marking lines, logos, graphics or coloring of the floor tile, the graphic layer comprising UV ink, as well as a protective coating applied to the graphic layer, the protective coating comprising a two-component polyurethane coating provided with nonskid means, wherein the main face has been pre-treated by means of a corona treatment.