Process for obtaining a fabric with the appearance of leather, imitation leather, and the fabric obtained

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing leather and imitation leather fabrics are cold in winter and hot in summer, not breathable, not water-repellent, prone to degradation, difficult to maintain, and lack fire resistance and flexibility, making them unsuitable for protective and ergonomic applications.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a paste of acrylic resin with inorganic fillers, melamine resins, silicone antifoam, polyethylene glycol, urea, and synthetic thickeners is applied to a technical fabric support to create a fabric-resin complex that is breathable, fire-resistant, and durable, with properties similar to leather, including elasticity and ease of maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If conventional polyurethane-based imitation leather is used, then leather-like appearance is achieved, but breathability and water-repellency are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleather-like appearanceVSAvoidbreathability and water-repellency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite resin system combining acrylic resin as the main component (60-80% by weight) with polyurethane resin (20-40% by weight), along with inorganic fillers and functional additives. This composite formulation achieves both leather-like appearance and improved breathability与水 repellency that pure polyurethane coatings cannot provide

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters of the coating resin, specifically adjusting the acrylic-to-polyurethane ratio and adding functional additives like polyethylene glycol (5-15% by weight) to enhance breathability. The paste viscosity is controlled at 10,000-15,000 cP and application thickness at 50-200 micrometers to optimize both appearance and functional properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional leather fabrics are used, then durability and appearance are achieved, but fire resistance and ease of maintenance are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidfire resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces traditional leather and suede with a synthetic fabric-resin complex that can be easily manufactured and maintained. The coating can be applied to conventional or technical fabrics, creating a durable yet replaceable material that doesn't require delicate leather care

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

Solution Approach 2:

The acrylic-based coating system is designed to be inherently fire-resistant and easy to maintain without requiring special leather care products. The material can be washed and dried at home, performing its own maintenance function without external intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If imitation leather is made to be durable, then resistance to abrasion and tearing is improved, but flexibility and elasticity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to abrasion and tearingVSAvoidflexibility and elasticity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different properties to different aspects of the material: the acrylic resin provides durability and fire resistance, while the polyurethane component and elastic fabric base provide flexibility and elasticity. Technical yarns with elastic properties are used in the fabric base to ensure the final product has both strength and adaptability to body movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The composite resin system combines acrylic resin (60-80% by weight) for durability and fire resistance with polyurethane resin (20-40% by weight) for flexibility. The fabric base uses technical yarns including elastic components, creating a multi-layer composite structure that achieves both strength and flexibility simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Object-affected harmful factors

If protective features are added to fabric, then fire resistance and abrasion resistance are improved, but breathability and comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistance and abrasion resistanceVSAvoidbreathability and comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses acrylic resin as the primary coating material (60-80% by weight) which inherently provides fire resistance without requiring thick protective layers. The paste viscosity is optimized at 10,000-15,000 cP and applied at controlled thickness (50-200 micrometers) to maintain breathability while achieving protective properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention selectively adds protective properties where needed: the acrylic resin provides fire resistance, while the fabric base with technical yarns provides abrasion resistance. The coating formulation includes polyethylene glycol (5-15% by weight) specifically to enhance breathability, ensuring that protective features don't compromise comfort

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 resulting fabric is waterproof, stain-resistant, comfortable, and ergonomic, with enhanced resistance to abrasion, tearing, and impact, allowing for domestic washing and drying, and maintaining a leather-like appearance and performance.

Implementation Method 1

subsequently dried and polymerised

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDrying: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

subsequently dried and polymerised to ensure stability and solidity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

The resulting base paste is applied on the fabric as a coating by rotary screen, over perforated cylinder, air scraper or transfer processes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Implementation Method 4

silicone antifoam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntifoam action: Antifoam

Data Source

PatentUS10287729B2Process for obtaining a fabric with the appearance of leather, imitation leather, and the fabric obtained
Publication Date: 2019.05.14 TEJIDOS ROYO

AI summary

The invention refers to the way of obtaining a fabric with the appearance of leather, imitation leather, from a fabric that can be an elastic technical fabric, to which a paste is applied, formulated with an acrylic base resin with inorganic fillers, melamine resins, silicone antifoam, polyethylene glycol, urea, synthetic acrylic thickeners and water-based dyes, in suitable percentages for obtaining a fabric with the appearance of hide or leather that is antistatic, rupture resistant, tear resistant, cut resistant, abrasion resistant and impact resistant, providing an appearance similar to leather and with a high capacity for recovering the initial form of the fabric, due to its elasticity. The invention also refers to the product or fabric obtained with this process.