Graphite-Based Leather Treatment Mixture for Soft, Strong Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Leather treated with graphene is rough to the touch, expensive, and takes on a greyish color, lacking the desired softness, attractiveness, and antibacterial properties required for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
A mixture comprising distilled water, opaque wax, polymeric composition, isopropyl alcohol, graphite-based liquid solution, animal casein, catalyzing polyaziridine, and optionally a pigment, applied in multiple layers with specific drying and finishing steps, enhances mechanical resistance, softness, and antibacterial properties while reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If leather is treated with graphene, then mechanical resistance is improved, but the surface becomes rough and loses softness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite mixture containing graphite-based liquid solution (50-70% graphite powder), polymeric composition (30-50mg per sqm), animal casein (25-75mg per sqm), and opaque wax (10-30mg per sqm). This composite formulation combines the mechanical strengthening properties of graphite with the softening and smoothing effects of polymers, casein, and wax, thereby achieving both improved mechanical resistance and maintained surface softness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for each component: graphite-based liquid solution (30-100mg per sqm), polymeric composition (30-50mg per sqm), animal casein (25-75mg per sqm), opaque wax (10-30mg per sqm), and isopropyl alcohol (30-100mg per sqm). By optimizing these parameters, the treatment achieves the desired balance between mechanical resistance and surface softness
2Strength
If leather is treated with graphene, then mechanical resistance is improved, but production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive graphene with a cost-effective graphite-based liquid solution containing 50-70% graphite powder mixed with affordable components such as polymeric composition, animal casein, opaque wax, and isopropyl alcohol. This substitution maintains the mechanical resistance benefits while dramatically reducing material costs and making the treatment economically viable for mass production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration and formulation parameters of the mixture components to achieve effective mechanical resistance enhancement at lower costs. The specific ranges provided for each ingredient allow for cost-effective formulation while maintaining performance
3Strength
If leather is treated with graphene, then mechanical resistance is improved, but the leather takes on a greyish color reducing versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates opaque wax (10-30mg per sqm) and optional pigments into the treatment mixture. The opaque wax provides a neutral base that does not impart unwanted greyish tones, while the optional pigments allow for various color applications. This enables the leather to maintain mechanical resistance while achieving diverse color options suitable for different applications
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment mixture is designed to be multi-functional: it provides mechanical resistance enhancement, surface softening, color neutrality or customization, and antibacterial properties. This universal formulation can be adapted to various leather applications including footwear, clothing, and leather goods, thereby increasing versatility
4Ease of operation
If traditional leather treatment is used, then softness and color variety are maintained, but antibacterial properties and mechanical resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite treatment mixture combining graphite-based liquid solution, polymeric composition, animal casein, opaque wax, isopropyl alcohol, and optional pigments. This composite formulation provides multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical resistance enhancement from graphite, softness maintenance from polymers and casein, surface finishing from opaque wax, and antibacterial properties, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional single-function treatments
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 treated leather exhibits high mechanical resistance, antibacterial characteristics, and softness, available in various colors, at a lower cost compared to traditional graphene treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric composition comprising polyurethane... catalyzing polyaziridine
Implementation Method 2
isopropyl alcohol, in one amount by weight comprised between 30 mg and 100 mg
Implementation Method 3
a graphite-based liquid solution, in one amount by weight between 30 mg and 100 mg... graphite powder, between 50 % and 70%
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Mixture for treatment of one leather layer having at least one surface S and comprising, per square meter of the surface S to be treated: - distilled water, in one amount by weight between 20 mg and 150 mg, optionally comprised between 30 mg and 125 mg, more optionally comprised between 40 mg and 100 mg; - opaque wax, in one amount by weight comprised between 10 mg and 30 mg, optionally between 15 mg and 25 mg, more optionally equal to 20 mg; - a polymeric composition comprising polyurethane, in one amount by weight comprised between 30 mg and 50 mg, optionally between 35 mg and 45 mg, more optionally equal to 40 mg; - isopropyl alcohol, in one amount by weight comprised between 30 mg and 100 mg, optionally between 40 mg and 90 mg, more optionally between 50 mg and 80 mg; - a graphite-based liquid solution, in one amount by weight between 30 mg and 100 mg, optionally between 40 mg and 90 mg, more optionally between 50 mg and 80 mg; - animal casein, in one amount by weight comprised between 25 mg and 75 mg, optionally between 30 mg and 70 mg, more optionally between 35 mg and 65 mg; - catalyzing polyaziridine, in one amount by weight between 3 mg and 12 mg, optionally between 4 mg and 11 mg, more optionally between 5 and 10 mg. The method comprising: A. covering the at least one surface S of the leather layer with the mixture; B. drying the at least one surface S of the layer; C. covering the at least one surface S of the leather layer with the mixture according to any previous claim; and D. drying the at least one surface S di the leather layer.