Polyester Backing Layer for Insulating Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-layer insulating panels for building constructions face challenges with gas-tight coatings that are difficult to recycle, have high manufacturing costs, and pose safety hazards due to smooth surfaces, which affect adhesion and dimensional stability.

Innovation Solution

A backing layer composed of a plastic gas-barrier film and a fibrous reinforcing layer made of polyester, applied together to provide gas-tightness and mechanical resistance, allowing for improved surface roughness and recyclability, without metal layers, thus reducing manufacturing and recycling costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heterogeneous multi-layer gas-tight coating is applied to both faces of the insulating panel, then gas-tight properties are improved, but recycling difficulty increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-tight propertiesVSAvoidrecycling difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The backing layer is divided into two functional segments: a plastic gas-barrier film layer for gas-tightness and a fibrous reinforcing layer for mechanical strength. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while enabling easier recycling compared to heterogeneous multi-layer coatings, as the fibrous layer can be separated or degraded more easily than multiple plastic layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the metal layer from the gas-tight coating structure, replacing it with a fibrous reinforcing layer made of organic material. This extraction eliminates the need for complex mechanical separation processes required for metal-plastic composite recycling, while maintaining gas-tight properties through the plastic film layer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a heterogeneous multi-layer gas-tight coating is applied to both faces of the insulating panel, then gas-tight properties are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-tight propertiesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive metal layers with a more economical fibrous reinforcing layer made of organic materials. This substitution reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength and gas-tight properties through the combination of the plastic film and fibrous layer

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

Solution Approach 2:

The backing layer uses a composite structure combining plastic gas-barrier film and fibrous reinforcing material. This composite approach provides cost-effective gas-tightness and mechanical strength without requiring expensive metal layers, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If a smooth gas-tight coating is applied to the insulating panel, then gas-tight properties are improved, but safety hazards increase due to slippery surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-tight propertiesVSAvoidsafety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fibrous reinforcing layer provides a locally rough surface texture that improves safety and adhesion, while the underlying plastic gas-barrier film layer maintains the gas-tight properties. This local quality differentiation allows the surface to be rough for safety while the subsurface remains smooth and gas-tight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If a smooth gas-tight coating is applied to the insulating panel, then gas-tight properties are improved, but adhesion of glues or mortars deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-tight propertiesVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fibrous reinforcing layer creates a locally rough surface that enhances adhesion of glues and mortars, while the plastic gas-barrier film layer beneath maintains the gas-tight properties. This layered structure with differentiated local qualities resolves the conflict between smooth gas-tight surfaces and rough adhesive surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 maintains gas-tight properties over time, enhances surface roughness for safety, and facilitates recycling, while reducing costs and improving adhesion, making it suitable for industrial manufacturing and installation.

Implementation Method 1

a plastic gas-barrier film (1) configured to prevent the diffusion of the gaseous phase of the main layer (50) to the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion barrier: Diffusion Barrier

Implementation Method 2

a fibrous reinforcing layer (2) made of a material selected from the group consisting of: non-woven fabric, fabric (weft warp), mesh/canvas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFibrous reinforcement:

Data Source

PatentEP4230408A1Backing layer of an insulating panel for building constructions and insulating panel
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 SILCART SPA
  • EP4230408A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4230408A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4230408A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a backing layer (10, 10a, 10b) for a multi-layer insulating panel (100; 100A; 100B; 100C) for building constructions. Such a backing layer consists of: - a plastic gas-barrier (gas-tight) film (1) comprising a first film surface (F1) and an opposing second film surface (F2); - a reinforcing layer (2) made of fibrous material comprising a first reinforcing surface (A1) and an opposing second reinforcing surface (A2). The fibrous reinforcing layer is applied to said first film surface of the plastic gas-barrier film by means of the first reinforcing surface. The backing layer is characterized in that the plastic gas-barrier film and the fibrous reinforcing layer comprise polyester.