Planar Ring Decal for Sink Drain Decoration with Water Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sink drain stoppers and surrounding areas lack effective decorative solutions that can withstand water and other substances, limiting aesthetic enhancements and advertisement placement without damaging the sink or drain.
Innovation Solution
A planar ring with a smooth transparent top surface for printing, an ink layer, and a substrate with an adhesive layer that connects to the sink surface, allowing for easy installation and removal without damaging the sink or drain, while resisting water and other substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If decorations are added to sink drains and stoppers, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but durability and resistance to water/substances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible vinyl decal or sticker as a thin film decoration on the sink drain and stopper. This flexible film can be applied to curved surfaces like the stopper and drain, providing aesthetic decoration while being removable and resistant to water and chemicals in the sink environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material construction with a vinyl base layer providing durability and water resistance, combined with printed graphic layers for aesthetic decoration. This composite structure allows the decorative elements to withstand exposure to water, soap, and other substances while maintaining their visual appearance.
2Loss of information
If advertisements are placed on drain surfaces, then advertising effectiveness is improved, but ease of removal and repositioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive vinyl decals or stickers that can be easily applied and removed without damaging the underlying sink surface. These temporary advertising media can be replaced frequently to update advertisements, maintaining advertising effectiveness while allowing easy removal and repositioning as needed.
3Shape
If permanent decorations are applied to sinks, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but ease of repair and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decorative function from permanent sink modifications and separates it into removable vinyl decals or stickers. This allows the aesthetic enhancement to be applied independently of the sink structure itself, enabling easy removal and replacement without repairing or damaging the sink surface.
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 solution provides a durable and aesthetically pleasing way to decorate sink stoppers and drains, maintaining printed images for at least two years without bleeding or fading, and can be easily removed without residue, enhancing the appearance of sinks in public and private areas.
Implementation Method 1
a substrate with an adhesive layer that connects to the sink surface
Data Source
AI summary
A planar ring for messages proximate a drain stopper decorative device has a flat, wide shape. The ring has a top surface and an opposite bottom surface. The visible top surface has an outer edge upon its perimeter. The outer edge spans from the top surface to the bottom surface. Inwardly from the outer edge, the ring has a band with a width. The band's width falls within from about 10/32 inch to about ½ inch. Inwardly from the band, the ring has its inner edge of a constant radius lesser than the outer edge. Within the inner edge, the ring has an aperture that admits a stopper. The two edges attain a perpendicular orientation to the two surfaces. The ring has a multiple layer construction with a smooth transparent layer at the top surface upon an ink layer upon a substrate with a releasable adhesive layer.