UV-Curable Adhesive Skin for Sporting Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sporting equipment surfaces, such as surfboards, lack a durable, slip-resistant, water-resistant, and antibacterial coating that can be easily applied and customized, leading to user safety concerns and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a substrate with a top printable layer, a middle adhesive layer, and a bottom removable layer, printed with ultraviolet curable ink, is applied to the equipment, allowing for a custom image and providing a slip-resistant, water-resistant, and antibacterial surface by conforming to the shape of the equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surfboard wax is applied to provide slip-resistant surface, then user safety is improved, but the surface requires frequent maintenance and reapplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a decorative skin that can be easily removed and replaced when worn or damaged. This disposable-like approach allows users to maintain slip resistance by simply replacing the skin rather than repeatedly reapplying wax, solving the maintenance burden while preserving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple layers including adhesive layer, decorative layer with slip-resistant properties, and protective layers to create a composite skin structure. This composite material approach provides durable, long-lasting slip resistance that outperforms traditional wax applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom images are applied to sporting equipment surfaces, then user customization is improved, but the application process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-prints custom images and designs onto the decorative skin before it is applied to the equipment. This preliminary action allows customization to be achieved without complex application processes, as the design is already integrated into the skin material itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal skin application system that can accommodate various custom images, patterns, and designs using the same basic application process. The single adhesive skin layer serves multiple functions: decoration, slip resistance, and protection, simplifying the overall application process while maximizing customization options.
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 a durable, tear-resistant, and long-lasting surface that enhances user safety and reduces maintenance, providing a superior gripping experience without the need for traditional waxing, while allowing for customization.
Implementation Method 1
The image is printed with ultraviolet curable ink
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for providing a slip-resistant, water-resistant, and antibacterial surface to a piece of sporting equipment include receiving a substrate printed with an image. The image is printed with ultraviolet curable ink and the substrate is non-silicone and includes a top printable layer printed with the image, a middle adhesive layer, and a bottom removable layer. The method includes aligning the substrate to a surface of the piece of sporting equipment, removing the bottom removable layer of the substrate, and contacting the middle adhesive layer that is exposed against the surface of the piece of sporting equipment. The method further includes smoothing the top printable layer printed with the image against the piece of sporting equipment. The substrate and the image printed with ultraviolet curable ink conforms to the shape of the piece of sporting equipment and provides the slip-resistant, water-resistant, and antibacterial surface.