Formaldehyde-Trapping Glass Fiber Canvas for Indoor Wall Coverings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current building materials, such as adhesives, paints, and varnishes, emit formaldehyde, posing health risks and requiring stricter regulations, necessitating the development of methods to reduce formaldehyde levels inside buildings.

Innovation Solution

A painting canvas made of glass fibers infused with a compound capable of reacting with formaldehyde, such as organic compounds with active methylene groups or hydrazides, to effectively trap formaldehyde, combined with a porous material for enhanced absorption, applied using a primer composition and optional additional water-reactivatable glue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If building materials such as adhesives, paints and varnishes are used, then construction and interior design functions are achieved, but formaldehyde emissions occur posing health risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction and interior designVSAvoidformaldehyde emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates formaldehyde-generating materials (adhesives, paints, varnishes) into the building construction while simultaneously integrating formaldehyde-trapping agents (compounds with active methylene groups, hydrazides, tannins, amides, amino acids) into the same materials or adjacent materials. The harmful formaldehyde emissions are converted into beneficial trapped formaldehyde through chemical reactions, transforming the harm into a benefit by using the emitted formaldehyde as a reactant for the trapping agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces formaldehyde-trapping agents as intermediary substances between the formaldehyde-emitting materials and the indoor environment. These agents (compounds with active methylene groups, hydrazides, tannins, amides, or amino acids) act as mediators that chemically intercept and bind formaldehyde molecules, preventing them from entering the air and being inhaled by occupants. The trapping agents serve as a chemical buffer zone that transforms the harmful emission into a stable bound state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If formaldehyde-trapping agents are incorporated into building materials, then formaldehyde emissions are reduced, but material composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformaldehyde emissionsVSAvoidmaterial composition
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of building materials by incorporating specific functional compounds (those with active methylene groups, hydrazides, tannins, amides, or amino acids) at controlled concentrations. These parameter changes introduce formaldehyde-trapping capability while maintaining the primary structural and aesthetic functions of the base materials. The composition is adjusted to balance trapping efficiency with material stability and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If stricter regulations on formaldehyde emissions are implemented, then health safety is improved, but compliance difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehealth safetyVSAvoidcompliance with regulations
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-equipping building materials with formaldehyde-trapping agents during the manufacturing stage, before the materials are installed in buildings. This proactive approach ensures that formaldehyde emissions are controlled at the source, preventing the need for complex post-installation monitoring and adjustment systems. The materials are pre-configured to automatically trap formaldehyde throughout their service life, simplifying compliance with emission regulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 canvas significantly absorbs formaldehyde from the air, reducing its concentration and emissions, thereby improving indoor air quality and compliance with health safety regulations.

Implementation Method 1

By 'compound capable of reacting with formaldehyde' we mean an organic compound which binds to formaldehyde by covalent bond.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Where appropriate, the agent capable of trapping formaldehyde may further comprise at least one porous material which adsorbs formaldehyde.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2379465B1Painter's canvas including an agent capable of trapping formaldehyde and manufacturing process
Publication Date: 2013.01.02 SAINT GOBAIN ADFORS
  • EP2379465B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2379465B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2379465B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a painter's canvas based on glass fibers intended to be applied to an interior surface of a building, which includes an agent capable of trapping formaldehyde chosen from compounds comprising active methylene(s), hydrazides, tannins, amides, amino acids, peptides and proteins. Another subject of the present invention is the process for producing said painter's canvas.