Low Gloss Leather Coating Using Polyethylene Oxide Resin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing leather coating compositions struggle to achieve low gloss while maintaining flexibility, scratch resistance, and impact resistance, as matting agents often disrupt film integrity and can lead to increased gloss over time.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous coating composition comprising 1-95% water, 5-80% polymer binder, and 0.05-10% water-soluble poly(ethylene oxide) resin, which provides a matte finish without compromising key film properties like flexibility and scratch resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If matting agents (inorganic particles, organic particles, or water dispersed acrylic acid dispersants) are added to reduce gloss, then gloss level is reduced, but film integrity is disrupted and key film properties such as water and abrasion resistance, flexibility, and scratch resistance are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegloss levelVSAvoidfilm integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water-dispersible poly(ethylene oxide) resin as an intermediary substance to achieve gloss reduction without the harmful effects of traditional matting agents. This resin acts as a mediator that provides the desired matte appearance while maintaining film integrity and key protective properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by using poly(ethylene oxide) resin with specific molecular weight ranges (1,000 to 1,000,000) and controlled hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance to achieve gloss reduction while preserving film properties, rather than relying on physical matting agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If matting particles are used to lower gloss, then initial gloss is reduced, but particles tend to polish or burnish after rubbing, leading to an increase in gloss over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegloss levelVSAvoidgloss stability over time
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces durable but problematic inorganic matting particles with organic poly(ethylene oxide) resin that, while initially providing similar gloss reduction, maintains its effectiveness over time without the burnishing issue, effectively creating a more stable long-term solution.

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

3Illumination intensity

If inorganic matting particles are added to reduce gloss, then gloss level is reduced, but particles settle out of solution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegloss levelVSAvoidsolution stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses poly(ethylene oxide) resin as a water-dispersible intermediary that remains stably suspended in the coating composition without settling, unlike inorganic particles. The resin's molecular structure provides steric stabilization that prevents aggregation and settling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If plasticizers are added to make the lacquer coating more flexible, then flexibility is improved, but surface tackiness occurs over time

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidsurface tackiness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition by incorporating poly(ethylene oxide) resin with specific molecular weight and hydrophobic/hydrophilic characteristics that provide flexibility without the tackiness problem associated with traditional plasticizers. The resin's molecular structure allows for flexible film formation while maintaining surface integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8986791B2Low gloss aqueous coating compositions containing poly(ethylene oxide) for use on leather
Publication Date: 2015.03.24 ROHM & HAAS CO

AI summary

The present invention relates to aqueous coating compositions having low gloss for treating natural or synthetic leather. These aqueous coating compositions contain one or more water soluble poly(ethylene oxide) resins having the general formula [—CH2CH2O—]n and one or more polymer binders.