Marble-Powder Polyurethane Membrane for Flexible Textile Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for replicating the aesthetic and sensory effects of marble on textiles are limited, as they rely on printing techniques that fail to fully capture the natural material's texture and structural forms, and marble's use in design and interior fields is hindered by its rigidity and lack of flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A membrane is created by blending marble powder with polyurethane, applied in a single or multiple layers, which can be coupled to fabrics or other supports, enhancing abrasion resistance and flame retardancy while providing a flexible and aesthetically pleasing solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If printing techniques are used to replicate marble effects on textiles, then visual similarity to marble is improved, but tactile and sensory experience is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual similarityVSAvoidsensory experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines marble powder particles with textile fibers to create a composite material that integrates both visual marble effects and tactile stone-like sensations. The marble powder is dispersed throughout the textile matrix, providing authentic sensory experience while maintaining visual similarity through the natural colors and veins of the actual marble material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If marble is used in its classic shape for interior applications, then aesthetic and status symbol properties are improved, but flexibility and adaptability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic qualityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the classic marble material into fine powder particles that can be dispersed and integrated into flexible textile matrices. This segmentation allows the marble's aesthetic properties to be preserved at a micro-scale while the overall structure gains flexibility and adaptability for various applications including clothing, footwear, and interior design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses textile substrates as flexible carriers for the marble powder, creating thin film-like structures that combine the rigidity and aesthetic of marble with the flexibility of textiles. This enables the material to be conformable and adaptable to different shapes and applications while maintaining the visual and tactile qualities of natural stone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Illumination intensity

If multiple layers of marble powder coating are applied to polyurethane, then marble effect is improved, but manufacturing complexity and difficulty are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarble effect qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the marble powder incorporation step with the textile manufacturing process itself, integrating the aesthetic material directly into the fiber structure during production. This eliminates the need for separate multi-layer coating operations and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining high-quality marble effects throughout the entire textile product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 membrane achieves improved abrasion resistance, flame retardancy, and a unique tactile effect, making it suitable for various applications including clothing, furnishing, and interior design, while also utilizing marble powder in a flexible and innovative manner.

Implementation Method 1

a membrane which is coupled to a fabric or other supports, comprising powder of stone material, preferably rocks, dispersed in a polymer or a polymer mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentEP3755838B1Process for the manufacture of a membrane adapted for coupling to a fabric, and product so obtained
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 ZANTEDESCHI ALICE
  • EP3755838B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Object of the present invention is a process for manufacturing a membrane adapted for coupling to a fabric or other supports that can be used in the field of the clothing or furnishing, and so-obtained product.