Glasses Frame Composite Sheet Fabric Polypropylene

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glasses frames lack unique aesthetic characteristics while compromising on comfort and mechanical reliability, and their production processes are costly and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A glasses frame composed of alternating layers of polypropylene as a technical layer and fabric as an aesthetic layer, with an optional metallic core for adjustability and strength, produced through a method involving simultaneous compression and heating of these layers using hydraulic presses, followed by surface treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional materials like cellulose acetate or plastics are used for frames, then mechanical strength and thermal resistance are improved, but aesthetic characteristics become common and lack uniqueness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidaesthetic characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a thermoplastic layer (providing mechanical strength and thermal resistance) with a fabric layer (providing unique aesthetic characteristics) to create a composite frame structure that simultaneously achieves both functional and aesthetic requirements that single materials cannot provide

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If leather layers are added to thermoplastic frames to improve aesthetics, then manufacturing complexity and production time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic characteristicsVSAvoidproduction cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the aesthetic fabric layer and the structural thermoplastic layer into a single integrated laminate structure that is formed in one molding operation, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing production time compared to multi-step manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple layers are combined to improve aesthetics, then manufacturing equipment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic characteristicsVSAvoidequipment costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a single injection molding machine that can directly form multi-layer laminate structures with fabric reinforcement, making the equipment perform both structural forming and aesthetic finishing in one operation, thereby avoiding the need for additional specialized equipment for fabric lamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 frame achieves distinct aesthetic appeal while ensuring mechanical reliability and comfort, with a reduced production cycle and lower equipment costs, offering a cost-effective and adaptable solution.

Implementation Method 1

heating the technical layer (10) and the aesthetic layer (12, 14), or the several mutually associated technical and aesthetic layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

mutually compressing the technical layer (10) and the aesthetic layer (12, 14), or the several mutually associated technical and aesthetic layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

The frame (100) comprises a front (3) and two lateral temples (7), which are obtained from one or more sheets (1) by means of a molding process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal bonding: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3030933B1Sheet for manufacturing articles, particularly glasses and the like, and associated manufacturing process
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 LUXOTTICA SRL
  • EP3030933B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3030933B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A sheet (1) for manufacturing articles, particularly frames for glasses and the like, the particularity of which resides in that it comprises at least one technical layer (10) made of a thermoplastic material interposed between a first aesthetic layer (12) and a second aesthetic layer (14), both made of a material such as fabric.