Gold Leaf Transfer on Aqueous Solution for Edible Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gold leaf processing technologies face challenges in handling and processing gold leaf for edible or cosmetic use due to weak bonding with base materials, difficulty in separating gold leaf from base materials, and the use of expensive equipment and processes.

Innovation Solution

A gold leaf processing device and method that involves separating gold leaf from gold leaf fabric using an aqueous solution and ultrasonic waves, and then attaching the gold leaf to a second base material, allowing for easy handling and safe use in food or beauty applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If gold leaf thickness is reduced to 0.1μm or thinner, then the cost decreases, but the surface becomes sparse and holes are formed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegold leaf thicknessVSAvoidsurface integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the thickness of gold leaf within a specific range (0.1-0.2μm) and adjusting processing parameters such as aqueous solution composition and ultrasonic treatment conditions to achieve both cost-effectiveness and surface integrity. This resolves the contradiction by finding optimal parameter values that balance thickness reduction with maintaining surface quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If gold leaf thickness is increased to reduce holes, then the cost increases, but economic problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface integrityVSAvoidgold leaf thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the gold leaf thickness parameter to a specific range (0.1-0.2μm) that provides sufficient surface integrity while minimizing gold consumption and cost. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between surface quality and economic cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If bonding pressure is increased to strengthen attachment, then damage or deformation occurs during handling, but handling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an aqueous solution as an intermediary medium that facilitates the separation of gold leaf from base material and subsequent attachment to new base material. This intermediary approach enables handling and reattachment without requiring strong bonding that would cause deformation, resolving the contradiction between bonding strength and handling ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If gold leaf is attached to base material for stability, then separation becomes difficult, but separation is needed for processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidseparation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses aqueous solution as an intermediary that enables easy separation of gold leaf from base material through dissolution or detachment, while still allowing stable attachment when needed. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction between maintaining attachment stability and enabling easy separation for processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Manufacturing precision

If expensive sputtering equipment is used to produce gold film, then gold leaf quality improves, but equipment cost and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegold film qualityVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a simpler, more economical approach to gold leaf production that avoids expensive sputtering equipment. By using alternative methods such as handling pre-produced gold leaf fabric and processing it through aqueous solution treatment and ultrasonic separation, the patent achieves the required quality without complex equipment, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 enables the effective production of gold leaf suitable for consumption or beauty items, improves handling and transportation of gold leaf fabric, and ensures the gold leaf is combined with a harmless base material.

Implementation Method 1

separating gold leaf from gold leaf fabric using an aqueous solution and ultrasonic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

dips the gold leaf fabric in an aqueous solution to allow the first base material to be separated from the gold leaf

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP4023078B1Gold leaf processing device and processing method
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 ME IN GOLD CO LTD
  • EP4023078B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4023078B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4023078B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a device and a method for processing gold leaf to make the gold leaf float on a tea, beverage, alcohol, or the like to be suitable to drink. To this end, provided is a gold leaf processing device and a gold leaf processing method. The gold leaf processing device separates gold leaf from a gold leaf fabric having a first base material attached thereto, and attaches the separated gold leaf to a second base material, the gold leaf processing device comprising: a gold leaf attaching part which dips the gold leaf fabric in an aqueous solution to allow the first base material to be separated from the gold leaf and sink, and attaches the second base material to the gold leaf remaining in a floating state on the surface of the aqueous solution; and a gold leaf fabric transfer part which transfers the gold leaf fabric to the gold leaf attaching part. The gold leaf processing method separates gold leaf from a gold leaf fabric having a first base material attached thereto, and attaches the separated gold leaf to a second base material, the gold leaf processing method comprising the steps of: dipping the gold leaf fabric in an aqueous solution to allow the gold leaf to float on the surface thereof and allow the first base material to be separated and sink; and attaching the second base material to the gold leaf remaining in a floating state on the surface of the aqueous solution.