Slip-Resistant Floor Covering With Transparent Particle Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-slip floor coverings with opaque particles compromise appearance and become more visible as the coating wears off, whereas consumers seek aesthetically pleasing and effective slip-resistant solutions.
Innovation Solution
The use of transparent or semi-transparent coated inorganic particles, such as aluminium oxide, which are embedded in a clear or tinted coating to enhance adhesion and reduce visibility, combined with a clear or colored plastics material to maintain appearance and provide slip resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If opaque non-slip particles are used, then slip resistance is improved, but appearance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the color changes principle by transitioning from opaque colored particles to transparent or translucent particles. This allows the particles to blend with the floor covering design rather than standing out as visible opaque elements, thereby maintaining appearance while preserving slip resistance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the optical properties of the particles from opaque to transparent/translucent. This parameter change in transparency allows the particles to become less visually detectable while maintaining their physical properties for providing slip resistance.
2Reliability
If coloured opaque particles are used, then slip resistance is improved, but visibility increases as coating wears off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes principle by using transparent or translucent particles that match the visual characteristics of the surrounding floor covering material. As the coating wears, these particles continue to blend with the background rather than becoming more visible, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance throughout the product lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of coating wear (which would normally make particles more visible) into a benefit by using transparent particles. The wear that would normally expose and highlight opaque particles instead reveals more transparent particles that continue to blend seamlessly, turning a degradation mechanism into a non-issue for appearance.
3Shape
If transparent particles are used, then appearance is improved, but adhesion is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a coupling agent coating on the transparent particles. This intermediary layer acts as a mediator between the particle surface and the floor covering matrix, providing chemical or physical bonding mechanisms that enhance adhesion while preserving the transparent optical properties of the particles.
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 the appearance of the floor covering by blending in with the design and pattern, while ensuring consistent slip resistance without the particles becoming visible as the coating wears off, meeting both aesthetic and functional requirements.
Implementation Method 1
An example of an adhesion coating is a silane, for example a silane coupling agent
Implementation Method 2
The application of frictional heat and/or externally applied heat reduces the viscosity of the coating system
Implementation Method 3
An inorganic pigmented coating such as vitreous enamel is fused onto the inorganic particle at a high temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a slip-resistant plastics floor covering having a first layer of plastics material which first layer of plastics material has on its upper surface a particulate layer of one or more transparent coated inorganic particles which particulate layer imparts slip- resistance to the floor covering which has an improved appearance; and a method for preparing a slip-resistant plastics floor covering.