Foam-Applied Powder Coating for Loop Fastener Fabric Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods face challenges in providing lightweight loop materials for hook-and-loop fasteners with sufficient mechanical strength and surface properties, such as permeability reduction and adhesion, especially when coatings are applied to non-fastening surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a foam containing a liquid binder and an activatable powder to the fabric surface, allowing the binder to flow into fiber interstices and dry, stabilizing the fabric while leaving the powder on the surface for later activation to alter surface properties, such as adhesion or welding capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coating is applied to the non-fastening surface of loop material to reduce permeability or provide adhesion, then surface properties are improved, but the loops may be compromised or mechanical strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coating composition is applied selectively to the non-fastening surface of the loop material, targeting only the areas that require surface property modification while leaving the loop structures and their mechanical integrity largely unaffected. This localized application ensures that the coating enhances surface functionality without compromising the overall structural strength of the fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite coating composition comprising a binder and powder material that combines the beneficial properties of both components. The binder provides adhesion and film formation, while the powder material contributes to reduced permeability and enhanced surface properties. This composite approach allows the coating to achieve multiple functions simultaneously while maintaining compatibility with the loop material's mechanical requirements.
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
This method enhances the mechanical strength and surface properties of loop materials, allowing them to be securely bonded to other surfaces and maintaining air-permeability, while ensuring the powder remains activatable for desired functionalities like adhesion or RF-weldability.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the liquid binder to flow into pores of the fabric and coat fiber interstices of the fabric
Implementation Method 2
as the foam collapses
Implementation Method 3
the binder is dried to bond the powder to the fabric surface
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fabric, such as a loop fastener material, is finished by applying a foam (16) to a surface (26) of the fabric (10), the foam containing both a liquid binder (30) and a powder (28). The binder is allowed to flow into pores of the fabric and coat fiber interstices of the fabric as the foam (16) collapses, and is dried to stabilize the fabric. The powder (28) is of a particle size selected to cause most of the powder to remain on the surface (26) of the fabric while the binder (30) is dried to bond the powder to the fabric surface (26). The powder (28), as bonded to the fabric surface, is activatable, such as by heat or RF or UV energy, to adhere the stabilized fabric to another surface or to provide a desired surface property.