Hot-coating method for high-gloss surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing high-gloss surfaces are inefficient due to high costs, limited decor options, poor adhesion properties of lacquers, and the need for multiple thin paint layers and extensive sanding, which complicates achieving both high abrasion resistance and smoothness.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of a polyurethane-based reactive hot-melt compound as an adhesion promoter, followed by a smoothing process and subsequent curtain coating of lacquer, allowing for the production of high-gloss surfaces without intermediate sanding and with improved adhesion and abrasion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If lacquer is applied directly to melamine layers to produce high-gloss surfaces, then the desired glossiness is achieved, but adhesion properties are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveglossinessVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A polyurethane-based reactive hot-melt compound is introduced as an intermediary layer between the melamine substrate and the lacquer coating. This adhesion promoter layer chemically bonds to both the melamine surface and the subsequent lacquer layers, resolving the adhesion problem while preserving the high-gloss finish.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple thin paint layers are applied with UV curing to achieve high-gloss surfaces, then the desired surface quality is obtained, but the mechanical effort and space requirement increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoidmechanical effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple paint application and curing steps are merged into a single curtain coating operation. The hot-melt compound creates a unified substrate that allows thick lacquer application in one pass, eliminating the need for multiple thin layers, intermediate sanding, and repeated UV curing cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If intermediate sanding is performed to achieve smooth high-gloss surfaces, then surface smoothness is improved, but the process complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface smoothnessVSAvoidprocess time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hot-melt compound is applied in advance to create a pre-smoothed substrate surface. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent sanding operations, as the hot-melt layer itself provides the necessary surface uniformity for high-gloss lacquer application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If thick plastic films are used to compensate for unevenness in carrier plates, then surface uniformity is improved, but costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface uniformityVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The physical state of the adhesive layer is changed from solid (thick plastic film) to viscous liquid (hot-melt compound). This parameter change allows the material to flow and self-level, compensating for substrate unevenness without requiring excessive material thickness, thereby reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method enables the production of high-quality, high-gloss surfaces with enhanced abrasion resistance and reduced mechanical effort, achieving a smooth finish without the need for extensive preparation or multiple thin paint layers.

Implementation Method 1

applying a layer of a hot-melt mass to at least part of the support surface by means of a roller device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHot-melt application:

Implementation Method 2

smoothing the applied melt layer by a smoothing roller rotating counter to the direction of rotation of the applicator roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical smoothing:

Implementation Method 3

applying at least one layer of lacquer to the smoothed enamel layer by means of a curtain coating method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCurtain coating:

Implementation Method 4

curing of the applied layer structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCuring: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP2654974B1High-gloss surface by means of hot-coating
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 KLEIBERIT SE & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for generating high-gloss surfaces on at least a part of a carrier surface, comprising the following steps: (a) applying a layer made of a molten mass to at least a part of the carrier surface; (b) smoothing the applied molten mass layer; (c) applying at least one paint layer to the smoothed molten mass layer by means of curtain coating methods; and (d) curing the applied layer composition. The invention further relates to objects which can be obtained according to such a method.