Furniture Edge Strip Functional Layer for Decorative Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in achieving reliable reproducibility of decorative coatings on plastic profiles due to environmental influences, aging, and process-related fluctuations in surface properties, especially when there is a significant time gap between substrate production and decoration, leading to issues like shrinkage, crystallization, oxidation, and changes in surface properties.
Innovation Solution
An edging strip for furniture with a functional layer that is designed to be unaffected by these influences, comprising a composition of 10-30% binder, 10-40% colorants, 40-80% solvents, and additional components like silica and wax, which forms an adhesion base for the decorative coating and enhances wettability and absorbency, allowing for optimal color application and storage without complex pre-treatment measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the substrate is stored for a long time before decoration, then the production schedule flexibility is improved, but the surface properties deteriorate due to aging, shrinkage, crystallization, oxidation, and moisture absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary actions by treating the substrate surface before storage through plasma treatment or corona discharge to create a functional layer that is resistant to aging effects. This pre-treatment establishes a stable surface that maintains its decorative properties throughout long-term storage, eliminating the need to use substrates immediately after production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary functional layer between the substrate and the decorative coating. This functional layer acts as a mediator that protects the substrate from environmental influences during storage and provides a stable base for subsequent decoration, decoupling the storage stability from the substrate itself.
2Manufacturing precision
If fresh substrates are used for decoration, then the coating reproducibility is improved, but the productivity is reduced due to tight scheduling constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface is pre-treated with plasma or corona discharge to create a functional layer that ensures consistent coating properties regardless of storage duration. This preliminary action allows substrates to be prepared in advance and stored without compromising future coating quality, thereby improving production scheduling flexibility and overall productivity.
3Strength
If the substrate surface is physically treated to improve adhesion, then the coating adhesion is improved, but the surface properties fluctuate due to additional processing variables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a functional layer as an intermediary between the substrate and decorative coating. This functional layer provides consistent adhesion properties without requiring variable physical treatments like sanding or flame treatment, thereby maintaining surface property consistency while ensuring reliable coating adhesion.
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
Ensures a series-safe, reliable reproduction of decorative coatings, even after prolonged storage, by maintaining consistent surface properties and improving adhesion and ink flow during the decoration process, particularly suited for inkjet printing.
Implementation Method 1
The proportion of fillers and/or additives influences the wettability or absorbency of the functional layer, so that depending on the design of the selected decor, an optimal coating is ensured
Implementation Method 2
The proportion of fillers and/or additives influences the wettability or absorbency of the functional layer
Data Source
Figure 1~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a profiled plastic piece which can be decorated and comprises a profiled substrate as a base of the profiled plastic piece, as well as a method for the production thereof. In order to ensure that a decorative coating can later be serially applied to the profiled plastic piece even if there is an extended interval between the time the substrate is produced and the time the decorative coating is applied, a functional layer is provided which covers at least some sections of the substrate and to which a decorative coating can be applied at a later time.