A technology package which constitutes know-how derived from research on acoustically passive materials for upholstered furniture production. The package includes the following technologies:
- Technology for layered components of upholstered furniture. The know-how relates to new models of upholstered furniture layouts and components with a high sound absorption coefficient and satisfactory ergonomic and technological properties. Different components (foam and fabric) were combined to create new composites of different thickness, density, cell wall structures and stiffness. As shown by research, the type and thickness of polyurethane foam is a decisive factor for the acoustic properties while the type of upholstery fabric does not significantly affect them. The know-how resulting from scientific research provides a basis for the construction of acoustic walls and partitions in office spaces.
- The technology related to the acoustic performance of noise walls for office desks and seats. The acoustic performance of selected office noise walls under model laboratory conditions was determined as per PN-ISO 10053: 2001: 2005. The results of research specify the structure and acoustic performance of noise walls for office spaces (especially for open-space offices).
- The technology related to the acoustic performance of armchairs with different geometries of back and side parts. The propagation of sound from a source located on, outside and away from the armchair to a receiver installed on the armchair was determined. The measurements were performed for several configurations with the sound source and the microphone being located at various heights. Three prototypes of upholstered furniture with various structures were selected for the test. The test confirmed the effectiveness of armchair noise walls. Depending on the configuration, the noise wall reduces the sound level by 6.7–12.2 dB, on average. The proposed solutions also confirm that the armchair designs reduce the sound level by no less than 2.7 dB.
The technologies covered by the technology package for acoustic upholstered furniture were developed at the Department of Furniture Design, Faculty of Wood Technology of the Poznań University of Life Sciences, in cooperation with scientists from the Department of Mechanics and Vibroacoustics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics of the Stanisław Staszic AGH University of Science, under a project covered by the Applied Research Program No. PBS1/A5/4/2012 “Acoustically passive materials for furniture production.” Professor Jerzy Smardzewski, Ph.D., was the project manager.
After the tests, the University employees who co-authored the technologies included in the technology package for acoustic upholstered furniture reported the outcomes of scientific research and the related know-how to the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer as per the applicable procedure. The report on the outcomes triggered a dedicated procedure to make the decision on the commercialization of the solution in accordance with the Management rules for copyrights, related rights, industrial property rights and the principles for commercialization at the Poznań University of Life Sciences. In parallel to the preparation of the technology package for commercialization, agreements on shared rights to technologies were made and entered into between the Poznań University of Life Sciences and the Stanisław Staszic AGH University of Science, because the allocation of rights to technologies resulting from the research was not regulated under the rules of the Applied Research Program. The Director of the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer issued a favorable opinion on the suitability of the technology for commercialization. The opinion was accepted by the competent Deputy Rector. As a next step, the Board in charge of Commercialization and Intellectual Property of the University adopted a resolution authorizing the University to launch the commercialization process. Next, the Center hired an independent expert company to carry out a market valuation of the technology package for acoustic upholstered furniture. Authors of the solution contributed to the valuation process with their expertise in wood technology. Upon meeting the internal procedural requirements, an invitation to submit offers for the purchase of technology package licenses or acquisition of technology rights was published at the website of the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer. Note that potential tenderers had the option to tender for the purchase of licenses or for the acquisition of rights to the entire package or selected technologies. A proposal to acquire the technology package was submitted by BEJOT SP. Z O.O.. In September 2017, after negotiating the conditions governing the acquisition of rights to specific know-how covered by the technology package, BEJOT SP. Z O.O. and the Poznań University of Life Sciences signed the agreements on the acquisition of technology rights.
The technologies covered by the technology package for acoustic upholstered furniture were used by BEJOT Sp. z o.o. in wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted sound absorbers. A particular structural solution is the asymmetrically mounted rigid cladding which is made of plywood or particle board and is intended to improve the acoustic performance of the absorber installed within 30 to 40 cm from the wall (ceiling) surface. Choosing the right thickness and density of foam resulted in high levels of the sound absorption coefficient. In particular, thin aesthetic panels were designed which are suitable for mounting on vertical walls of buildings. Thicker panels were conveniently installed under the ceiling. The advantage of these structures (compared to competitive systems) is a simple manufacturing technology, wide availability of raw materials and a high sound absorption coefficient which proves to be very beneficial. Also, the Celma office noise wall, Quadra 800 noise wall manufactured by BEJOT Sp. z o.o., and the Quadra QDPO690, Quadra QDPO690+QDSC 690x3 and VooVoo VV921 pouffes and armchairs had their acoustic performance improved. The structural advantage of noise walls (compared to competitive systems) is the rigid internal partition and symmetric system of nonwoven acoustic claddings (especially including POROSO), a simple manufacturing technology, wide availability of raw materials, a high sound absorption coefficient which proves to be very beneficial, and high acoustic performance. The sound absorbing layer is made of nonwoven fibers with a minimum length of 30 mm. The thickness of the nonwoven fabric was selected so as to ensure optimum acoustic performance of the entire system. The nonwoven fabric is mounted symmetrically on both sides of the rigid partition using upholstery adhesive diluted with water. The noise wall’s external (decorative) layer is finished with fabrics of various thickness and a similar sound absorption coefficient. The improved furniture structure consists of a seat base made of particle boards, MDFs or HDFs with metal reinforcement elements. The upholstered parts are made of appropriate foams and fabrics with sound-absorbing properties.