Aqueous Polyolefin Textile Impregnation for Resilient Shoe Stiffeners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latex stiffening compositions used in shoe manufacturing face issues such as poor resiliency, elasticity, cost, curing requirements, and allergic properties, as well as compatibility challenges with other shoe components.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic polyolefin stiffening composition is formed as an aqueous dispersion for impregnating fibrous structures, comprising ethylene-based or propylene-based thermoplastic polymers and a polymeric stabilizing agent, which provides improved stiffness, elasticity, resilience, and compatibility with shoe components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional latex stiffening compositions are used, then the fibrous structure can be impregnated to provide stiffness, but the resiliency, elasticity, and compatibility with other shoe components deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the stiffening composition by using thermoplastic polyolefin resins instead of conventional latex compositions. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing a material that simultaneously achieves the required stiffness while maintaining improved resiliency, elasticity, and compatibility with other shoe components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material formulation by combining thermoplastic polyolefin resin with specific additives and using aqueous dispersion technology. This composite approach resolves the technical contradiction by integrating multiple functional properties into a single stiffening composition that delivers both structural stiffness and mechanical flexibility.
2Shape
If conventional latex stiffening compositions are used, then the fibrous structure can be impregnated to provide shape retention, but allergic properties and compatibility challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting latex-based materials with thermoplastic polyolefin resins. This parameter change eliminates the allergic properties associated with conventional latex while maintaining effective shape retention capabilities in the stiffened fibrous structure.
3Strength
If thermoplastic polyolefin dispersion is used for impregnation, then stiffness, elasticity, and resilience are improved, but the process requires water removal after impregnation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water (evaporation) after impregnation to remove the aqueous medium from the fibrous structure. This phase transition approach resolves the contradiction by enabling the use of water-based thermoplastic polyolefin dispersion for improved material properties while managing the additional process step through a simple thermal drying operation.
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 offers enhanced stiffness, elasticity, resilience, and shape retention for shoe stiffeners like toe boxes and counters, while improving compatibility with other shoe components, thus addressing the drawbacks of conventional latex compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoplastic polyolefin stiffening composition is formed as an aqueous dispersion for impregnating fibrous structures
Implementation Method 2
thereafter removing at least a portion of the water from the impregnated fibrous structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an article formed by impregnating a fibrous structure with a compound, the compound including an aqueous dispersion, the dispersion having (a) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-based thermoplastic polymer, a propylene-based thermoplastic polymer, and mixtures thereof; (b) at least one polymeric stabilizing agent; and (c) water; and removing at least a portion of the water from the impregnated fibrous structure. The present invention also provides a method of forming a stiffened textile. The method may include the steps of: forming a compound, the compound including an aqueous dispersion having (a) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-based thermoplastic polymer, a propylene-based thermoplastic polymer, and mixtures thereof, (b) at least one polymeric stabilizing agent, and (c) water; impregnating a textile with the compound; and removing at least a portion of the water from the impregnated textile.