Multi-Layer Protective Sheet Resilient Layer Adhesive Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polyurethane-based protective sheets often fail to retain the glossy appearance of painted surfaces and suffer from reduced flexibility and potential interlayer delamination due to additional layers, leading to adhesive residue issues when removed.

Innovation Solution

A multi-layer protective sheet configuration with a resilient layer between the carrier layer and the adhesive layer, which enhances energy absorption and dispersal, balances layer properties, and improves recoverability, allowing for cleaner removal without residual adhesive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional layers are added to improve gloss retention and environmental resistance, then protective properties are improved, but flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegloss retentionVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sheet is divided into multiple functional layers: a polyurethane carrier layer providing flexibility and conformability, and a separate topcoat layer providing gloss retention and environmental resistance. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the overall flexibility of the sheet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining polyurethane material in the carrier layer with a different material composition in the topcoat layer. This composite approach enables the sheet to simultaneously achieve flexibility from the polyurethane base and protective properties from the specialized topcoat, resolving the contradiction between durability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If additional layers are added to improve protective properties, then gloss retention is improved, but interlayer delamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegloss retentionVSAvoidinterlayer adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention carefully controls the thickness parameters of each layer, keeping the topcoat layer relatively thin compared to the carrier layer. This parameter optimization ensures adequate adhesion between layers while maintaining the protective function, preventing delamination issues that would arise from excessively thick additional layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If polyurethane films are used for protection, then abrasion resistance is improved, but glossy appearance retention is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidglossy appearance retention
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines polyurethane material in the carrier layer, which provides abrasion resistance, with a specially formulated topcoat layer that provides superior gloss retention. This composite structure allows the sheet to simultaneously achieve both abrasion resistance from the polyurethane base and glossy appearance retention from the optimized topcoat, resolving the contradiction between these two protective properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 improved flexibility, reduced adhesive residue, and enhanced recoverability, enabling effective protection and easy application to non-planar surfaces while maintaining a glossy appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient layer between the carrier layer and the adhesive layer, which enhances energy absorption and dispersal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

enhances energy absorption and dispersal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 3

an adhesive layer on an opposite major surface of the resilient layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3383654B1Protective sheets, articles, and methods
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 ENTROTECH INC
  • EP3383654B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3383654B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3383654B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Multi-layer protective sheets of the invention are useful in a range of indoor and outdoor applications in, for example, the transportation, architectural and sporting goods industries. In one embodiment, a multi-layer protective sheet comprises sequential layers as follows: optionally, a topcoat layer; a carrier layer; a resilient layer; and an adhesive layer. Protective sheets of the invention are advantageously not only capable of protecting a surface, but also capable of being more cleanly removed therefrom than conventional protective sheets without resilient layers between the carrier layer and adhesive layer therein.