Self-Adhesive Permeable Membrane with Embedded Grid Air Bubbles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vapor barrier films are expensive and have permeance that deteriorates over time, limiting their effectiveness in controlling water vapor diffusion in both building construction and medical dressings.
Innovation Solution
A self-adhesive water vapor permeable membrane with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and a grid structure that includes air bubbles, promoting vapor molecule penetration and diffusion, combined with a non-stick protective film and a manufacturing process involving coating, curing, and lamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyethylene film or aluminum foil is used as vapor barrier, then resistance to water vapor diffusion is improved, but permeability to water vapor deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is designed with a porous structure containing air bubbles that allow water vapor molecules to pass through while the adhesive material itself provides resistance to water vapor diffusion. This creates a dual-function layer that simultaneously achieves both vapor barrier performance and permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines adhesive material with air bubbles to create a composite adhesive layer that integrates two opposing functions: the adhesive provides water vapor resistance while the air bubbles provide permeability pathways, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive is applied in non-continuous film, then permeability to water vapor is improved, but adhesive bonding performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer has non-uniform local structure with air bubbles distributed throughout, creating regions of different properties. The adhesive-rich regions provide bonding strength while the air bubble regions provide vapor permeability pathways, allowing both functions to coexist.
3Strength
If continuous layer of adhesive is used, then adhesive bonding performance is improved, but permeability to water vapor deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous adhesive layer is made porous by incorporating air bubbles throughout its structure. This allows the layer to maintain continuity for bonding while creating permeability pathways through the air bubbles, resolving the contradiction between continuity and permeability.
4Reliability
If vapor barrier film is used to control water vapor diffusion, then resistance to water vapor diffusion is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the adhesive layer by incorporating air bubbles and specific porous structures, enabling the adhesive to provide vapor barrier performance without requiring expensive specialized materials, thus reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability.
5Reliability
If vapor barrier film is used, then resistance to water vapor diffusion is improved, but permeance deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The air bubbles are incorporated into the adhesive layer during manufacturing to pre-establish permeability pathways that will maintain stable permeance over time, compensating for any potential degradation or changes that might occur during service life.
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 provides a simple, inexpensive, and durable solution with consistent water vapor permeance, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies by enhancing vapor diffusion while maintaining adhesive properties.
Implementation Method 1
air bubbles trapped between the meshes of the grid which promote the penetration and diffusion of vapor molecules of water
Implementation Method 2
a grid included partially or totally in the adhesive layer and which comprises air bubbles trapped between the meshes of the grid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
The present invention relates to a self-adhesive, vapor-permeable membrane comprising at least one vapor-permeable substrate (1) and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (2), also vapor-permeable, and bonded to the underside of said substrate (1). The membrane is notable in that it comprises a grid (3) wholly or partially embedded in the adhesive layer (2) and in that it contains air bubbles trapped between the mesh of the grid (3) which facilitate the penetration and diffusion of water vapor molecules. Another object of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a membrane.