Recyclable Golf Shoe and Bag Structures Using TPU and PET
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf articles such as shoes, apparel, bags, clubs, and balls often compromise performance to achieve recyclability, lacking structural optimizations that maintain functionality and efficiency in recycling.
Innovation Solution
The development of high-performance recyclable golf shoes and bags utilizing thermoplastic urethane (TPU) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials, with optimized structures that allow for efficient recycling without compromising performance characteristics like comfort, traction, and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional materials are used in golf articles to achieve performance characteristics, then performance is improved, but recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using thermoplastic materials (TPU and PET) instead of conventional non-recyclable materials. These materials maintain the necessary performance characteristics for golf articles while being thermally processable, allowing them to be melted and reformed during recycling processes, thus resolving the contradiction between performance and recyclability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where multiple thermoplastic materials are combined in specific configurations. These composites are designed to provide the required performance characteristics (strength, flexibility, durability) while maintaining recyclability through unified thermal processing, enabling both performance and ease of recycling
2Ease of manufacture
If recyclable materials are used in golf articles to improve recyclability, then recyclability is improved, but performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of recyclable thermoplastic materials to enhance their performance. By adjusting molecular weight, crystallinity, and thermal properties of TPU and PET, the materials achieve both high recyclability and improved performance characteristics such as strength, elasticity, and durability required for golf articles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optimized composite structures using recyclable thermoplastic materials combined in specific ratios and configurations. These composites leverage the complementary properties of different materials to achieve superior performance while maintaining full recyclability through unified processing, thus improving both recyclability and performance simultaneously
3Ease of manufacture
If structural optimizations are implemented in recyclable golf articles, then recyclability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the golf article into distinct modular components made from different thermoplastic materials. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining recyclability, and enables selective recycling or replacement of individual components without affecting the entire structure, thus improving recyclability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs structural elements that serve multiple functions simultaneously. For example, thermoplastic components are engineered to provide structural support, flexibility, and recyclability through their inherent material properties and geometric design, reducing the need for additional specialized components and minimizing overall structural complexity while maximizing recyclability
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a recyclable article. The recyclable article may comprise a recyclable shoe, recycle apparel, recyclable gear, a recyclable bag, a recyclable club, and/or a recyclable ball. The recyclable article may be processed into one or more source materials that can be used to produce one or more other articles.