White Pigment Underlayer for Fluorescent Fabric Light Fastness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to provide sufficient color fastness to light for various types of fibers, particularly aromatic polyamide fibers, and the use of ultraviolet blocking agents like titanium oxide either lacks effectiveness or limits color options due to transparency issues.

Innovation Solution

A colored fiber fabric is created by applying a white pigment via a binder resin to the surface of the fabric, followed by a resin layer containing a color pigment, which includes fluorescent pigments, to achieve high light fastness ratings and versatile color options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a blend of pigment and ultraviolet blocking agent such as highly transparent titanium oxide is used, then color fastness to light is improved, but the effect is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor fastness to lightVSAvoideffectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a white pigment layer (containing titanium oxide and other white pigments) combined with a color pigment layer. This composite material approach creates a synergistic effect where the white pigment layer provides both UV blocking and brightness enhancement, while the color pigment layer provides coloration, together achieving superior color fastness to light that neither component could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a blend of pigment and less transparent titanium oxide is used, then color fastness to light is improved, but the chromaticness is reduced and the number of available colors is significantly limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor fastness to lightVSAvoidnumber of available colors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the coloring system into two distinct layers: a white pigment layer containing titanium oxide and other white pigments for UV blocking and brightness, and a separate color pigment layer for coloration. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other, enabling full color versatility while maintaining excellent color fastness to light.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different material properties to different layers: the white pigment layer is designed with high UV blocking capability and brightness, while the color pigment layer is designed with high color saturation and variety. This local quality differentiation allows each layer to optimize its specific function, achieving both excellent color fastness and full color versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If aromatic polyamide fiber is used, then fabric properties are achieved, but color fastness to light is much poorer than other fibers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric material optionsVSAvoidcolor fastness to light
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the white pigment layer containing UV blocking agents (titanium oxide, zinc oxide, etc.) to the fabric surface before applying the color pigment layer. This preliminary action of UV protection creates a protective barrier that prevents UV-induced degradation of both the aromatic polyamide fibers and the color pigments, thereby significantly improving color fastness to light while maintaining fabric versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method results in a fiber fabric with excellent color fastness to light, enabling the use of bright and fluorescent colors while maintaining luminance and visibility, suitable for outerwear, sportswear, and workwear, especially in hazardous environments.

Implementation Method 1

a white pigment which adheres to at least one surface of the fiber fabric via a binder resin... excellent color fastness to light... ultraviolet blocking agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the color pigment may contain a fluorescent pigment... maintaining luminance and visibility... bright and fluorescent colors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS11434604B2Colored fiber fabric and method for producing colored fiber fabric
Publication Date: 2022.09.06 KOMATSU SEIREN CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a colored fiber fabric and the like that can be colored in various colors including bright colors and have excellent color fastness to light. The colored fiber fabric includes: a fiber fabric; a white pigment adhering to at least one surface of the fiber fabric via a binder resin; and a resin layer that contains a color pigment and is provided on the white pigment.