Last updated: August 4, 2025
Introduction
South Korea's patent KR20090087127, titled "Method for manufacturing a composite material", filed on March 26, 2009, and granted on July 30, 2009, exemplifies innovation in material science. This patent addresses the manufacturing of composite materials—a sector pivotal for industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and biomedicine.
Understanding the scope and claims of KR20090087127 provides critical insights into patent protections, competitive positioning, and areas of technological overlap within the composite materials domain in South Korea and globally.
Scope of the Patent
The patent pertains to a method of producing composite materials with specific structural and functional characteristics. It encompasses processes integrating raw materials such as fibers and resins, aimed at enhancing the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of the final composite product.
The scope extends to:
- Manufacturing techniques involving layering, curing, and bonding of composite constituents.
- Material compositions comprising specific fiber types (e.g., carbon, glass) and resin systems.
- Process parameters such as temperature, pressure, and curing durations designed to optimize composite properties.
- Innovative features like the inclusion of surface modifications or additives to improve adhesion and durability.
The patent’s scope is thus broad enough to cover various manufacturing regimes but remains specific enough to protect novel process improvements and material combinations.
Claims Analysis
KR20090087127 contains 14 claims, with Claim 1 serving as the independent claim, establishing the core inventive concept.
Claim 1: Core Invention
"A method for manufacturing a composite material comprising:
- impregnating fibers with a resin;
- arranging the impregnated fibers into a layered structure;
- curing the layered structure under specific temperature and pressure conditions; and
- performing surface treatment to enhance bonding between layers."
This claim emphasizes a comprehensive process that integrates impregnation, layering, curing, and surface treatment, aimed at producing high-quality composites with superior bonding characteristics.
Dependent Claims: Specific Embodiments
Claims 2-14 specify particular aspects, such as:
- Material specifics: Types of fibers (carbon, glass) and resins (epoxy, polyester) [Claims 2-4].
- Process parameters: Exact temperature ranges (e.g., 80°C–150°C), pressures, and curing durations [Claims 5-8].
- Surface treatments: Use of plasma, chemical etchants, or coupling agents to improve adhesion [Claims 9-11].
- Layered structure nuances: Number of layers, orientation, and fiber alignment configurations [Claims 12-14].
Innovative Aspects
The claims highlight innovations in:
- Combining surface treatment with the curing process.
- Specific process parameters that enhance internal bonding and surface finish.
- Material combinations tailored to maximize thermal and mechanical performance.
Claims Strategy and Scope
The claims balance broad coverage—protecting versatile manufacturing methods—and specific embodiments—detailing particular materials and conditions. This strategic approach prevents easy circumvention while allowing for variations.
Patent Landscape in the Composite Materials Sector
Global and South Korean Context
South Korea maintains a robust patent landscape in composite materials, driven by major corporations like Samsung, Hanwha, and SK Chemicals, and academic institutions like KAIST and POSTECH. KR20090087127 fits into a pattern of patents seeking to improve manufacturing efficiency, material performance, and surface adhesion.
Major Patent Families and Overlaps
- International Patent Families: Similar patents exist in areas such as US, EP, and CN, with overlapping claims on layer fabrication and surface modification techniques.
- Comparative Analysis: Many patents focus on curing processes and fiber-resin interface engineering, indicating high patenting activity and possibly competitivereach.
Technological Trends
- Enhanced Manufacturing Processes: Focus on low-temperature curing, rapid fabrication, and environmentally friendly methods.
- Material Innovations: Development of lightweight, high-strength composites with improved surface properties.
- Surface Modification Techniques: Use of plasma, laser, and chemical agents to improve fiber-matrix interfacial bonding.
Legal Status and Enforcement
As of the latest data, KR20090087127 remains active and enforceable in South Korea. The patent's validation provides a competitive advantage, especially if the protected process proves cost-effective or yields superior composite quality.
Implications for Industry and R&D
- Competitive Edge: The patent’s claims can impede competitors from adopting similar manufacturing techniques without licensing.
- Research and Development: Innovators must design around these claims by modifying process parameters or utilizing alternative surface treatments.
- Licensing and Collaboration: Companies seeking to innovate in composite manufacturing may pursue licensing agreements, especially in sectors like aerospace and automotive.
Legal and Commercial Considerations
Understanding the scope and claims aids in due diligence, patent clearance, and freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessments. Given the broad yet specific claims, competitors should thoroughly evaluate potential overlaps and design-around strategies.
Conclusion
KR20090087127 exemplifies a strategic patent that secures comprehensive rights over a manufacturing process critical for high-performance composite materials. Its broad claims coupled with specific embodiments reflect a mature approach to intellectual property protection, balancing exclusivity and innovation.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's scope covers a holistic manufacturing process involving impregnation, layering, curing, and surface treatment.
- Its claims protect a range of material compositions and process parameters, setting a strong IP barrier.
- The patent landscape is competitive, with similar patents focused on process improvements, material enhancements, and surface modifications.
- For businesses in composite sectors, this patent emphasizes the importance of innovative surface treatments and curing processes.
- Strategic planning should include thorough FTO analyses to navigate overlapping patent rights and explore design-around options.
FAQs
1. How does KR20090087127 influence the manufacturing of high-performance composites?
It provides protected methods that enhance the bonding and mechanical properties of composites, enabling manufacturers to produce high-quality materials with potentially greater efficiency and durability.
2. Can competitors develop alternative methods to avoid infringing this patent?
Yes, by modifying process parameters, using different surface treatment techniques, or altering material compositions in ways not covered by the claims, competitors can design around the patent.
3. What industries are most impacted by this patent?
Primarily sectors requiring advanced composites—automotive, aerospace, electronics, and biomedical industries—where material integrity and manufacturing efficiency are critical.
4. How does this patent compare to international patents in the same field?
It shares similar themes with patents filed in the US and Europe, focusing on process innovations and surface treatments, but may differ in specific technical embodiments and claim scope, affecting cross-jurisdictional protection.
5. What strategic steps should R&D teams take when working near this patent?
They should conduct thorough patent landscape analyses, consider alternative processing techniques, and possibly seek licensing options if their innovations closely resemble protected claims.
References
[1] South Korea Patent KR20090087127, "Method for manufacturing a composite material," filed March 26, 2009.
