WO2008007394A1 - Process for applying refracting and reflecting spheres and/or microspheres on surfaces and product obtained therewith - Google Patents
Process for applying refracting and reflecting spheres and/or microspheres on surfaces and product obtained therewith Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2008007394A1 WO2008007394A1 PCT/IT2006/000524 IT2006000524W WO2008007394A1 WO 2008007394 A1 WO2008007394 A1 WO 2008007394A1 IT 2006000524 W IT2006000524 W IT 2006000524W WO 2008007394 A1 WO2008007394 A1 WO 2008007394A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- microspheres
- spheres
- binding agent
- new process
- previous
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
- B05D5/06—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain multicolour or other optical effects
- B05D5/061—Special surface effect
- B05D5/063—Reflective effect
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
- G02B5/12—Reflex reflectors
- G02B5/126—Reflex reflectors including curved refracting surface
- G02B5/128—Reflex reflectors including curved refracting surface transparent spheres being embedded in matrix
Definitions
- the present invention concerns the techniques for treating various types of surfaces and in particular it concerns a new process and the relevant devices for applying refracting and reflecting spheres and/or microspheres on surfaces and the product obtained therewith.
- Various surface treatment techniques are known that are used for painting and/or decorating and/or covering various types of surfaces.
- Said treatments may have only a decorative function or even a protective or covering function, for example for maximizing the light reflecting effects.
- Films or tesserae are known, which are suited to be applied on various types of surfaces, for example on clothing items, and wherein said films have refracting properties, that is, they reflect the light incident on them, thus becoming visible also form a considerable distance and in poor lighting conditions.
- the object of the present invention is a new process for applying refracting and reflecting spheres and/or microspheres on any type of surface, the relevant devices and the product obtained therewith.
- the main aim of the present invention is to propose a surface having high light-reflecting properties, through the application of refracting spheres and/or microspheres.
- a further aim of the present invention is to guarantee the permanent adhesion of said spheres and/or microspheres through the previous application of a suitable quantity of binding agent.
- Another aim of the present invention is that said spheres and/or microspheres should be able to be applied to any type of surface or material.
- a further aim of the present invention is to guarantee that said spheres and/or microspheres are suitably immersed in the binding agent, thus optimizing at the same time both the refracting and reflecting capacity of the treated surface, which can be attributed to the emerged portion of the spheres and/or microspheres, and the stable adhesion of the spheres to the binding agent.
- the new process for applying spheres and/or microspheres includes the following stages: ⁇ applying the binding agent to the surface to be treated; applying the spheres and/or microspheres on said layer of binding agent; any operation aimed at ensuring the adhesion of said spheres and/or microspheres on said surface, like for example compressing or compacting the spheres on the surface itself.
- said binding agent is constituted by any type of substance suited to guarantee the adhesion of said spheres and/or microspheres to the surface to be treated.
- said binding agent may be a glue, a resin or a varnish/paint, transparent or coloured.
- the use of enamels or inks or other types of substances suited to serve as a binding agent is also possible.
- Said binding agent can be used not onl$ to guarantee the adhesion of said spheres and/or microspheres to the treated surface, but it is also used for decoration or protection purposes.
- Said binding agent is spread on the entire surface to be treated or on part of the same, in such a way as to form a layer having a thickness suited to guarantee the adhesion of the spheres successively applied.
- Said spheres or microspheres are fragments of glass, ceramic or plastic, and in the case of said microspheres they have typical dimensions even in the order of microns.
- Said spheres and/or microspheres reflect the light incident on them, so that the treated surface is visible even from a considerable distance and in poor lighting and visibility conditions.
- said spheres and/or microspheres in particular in the case of sun radiation, maximize the reflection of light and reduce the quantity of sun radiation transmitted through the surface itself, thus performing also a heat insulating function.
- Oriented spheres or microspheres may also be used, that is, spheres or microspheres having a silvery hemisphere that increases the reflecting properties of each sphere and lends a chromed hue to the treated surface.
- the application of said spheres and/or microspheres is carried out, for example, by spraying them with suitable devices like guns or the like.
- Said spheres and/or microspheres may also be applied through scattering, using sieves or machines that are similar to seeders, for example roller seeders.
- said application of spheres and/or microspheres must take place immediately after the application of said binding agent.
- the application of the spheres must therefore take place in the time interval following the application of the binding agent, but before it dries up, even if partially or superficially.
- said spheres and/or microspheres can penetrate the layer partially, in such a way as to adhere permanently to it when the binding agent has hardened completely. It has been found that to maximize the light reflecting properties said spheres and/or microspheres must emerge from said layer of binding agent with least 50 % of their volume.
- the thickness of the layer of binding agent applied to the surface to be treated must be equal to approximately 50% of the diameter of the spheres that will be successively applied.
- the quantity of binding agent used and the thickness of the applied layer depend on the diameter of the spheres and/or microspheres used.
- said treated surface after application of said spheres and/or microspheres said treated surface must be compressed, in order to further immerse in the binding agent the spheres and/or microspheres not sufficiently immersed. In this way the adhesion of the spheres and/or microspheres to the treated surface increases.
- One of the advantages offered by the present patent lies in that it also limits the waste of binding agent, using only the indispensable quantity, and the waste of spheres and/or microspheres, since the percentage of spheres and/or microspheres that come off the surface is reduced to a minimum.
- the new process can be employed for any type of surface or support, since it is possible to use the type of binding agent that is most suitable for the surface and for the type of decorative and/or protective and/or functional surface treatment to be carried out. Therefore, the new process can be employed for example on: material for making packages or containers in general, for example for food containers, where the refracting surface limits the transmission of sun radiation thro ⁇ gh the walls of the container itself, thus improving heat insulation; coverings for houses, to reduce heat transmission inside rooms;
- Figure 1 schematically shows the treated surface, and in particular the layer of binding agent (L) distributed on the surface (Sl) of a support (S), and the spheres (F) partially immersed in said layer of binding agent (L).
- the new process for applying spheres and/or microspheres (F) can be used on the surface (Sl) of any type of support (S) made of any material and having any shape, consistency, porosity.
- said surface (Sl) on which said spheres and/or microspheres (F) are applied is -substantially flat, but said surface
- (Sl) may also be curved, concave or convex, with sharp edges, etc.
- spheres and/or microspheres (F) are applied after the application of a layer of binding agent (L). As shown, said spheres and/or microspheres (F) are preferably immersed in said layer of binding agent (L) with approximately 50% of their volume.
- the thickness of said layer of binding agent (L) is preferably equal to the typical radius of the applied spheres and/or microspheres (F).
Abstract
The invention is a new process for applying spheres and/or microspheres (F) on the surface (Sl) of any type of support (S), after the application of a suitable quantity of binding agent (L), in which said spheres and/or microspheres (F) are immersed with at least 50 % of their volume, said spheres and/or microspheres (F) being applied through apposite spraying and/or scattering devices.
Description
PROCESS FOR APPLYING REFRACTING AND REFLECTING
SPHERES AND/OR MICROSPHERES ON SURFACES AND
PRODUCT OBTAINED THEREWITH DESCRIPTION
The present invention concerns the techniques for treating various types of surfaces and in particular it concerns a new process and the relevant devices for applying refracting and reflecting spheres and/or microspheres on surfaces and the product obtained therewith. Various surface treatment techniques are known that are used for painting and/or decorating and/or covering various types of surfaces.
Said treatments may have only a decorative function or even a protective or covering function, for example for maximizing the light reflecting effects.
Various surface painting treatments are known, according to which colour is applied by spraying, printing or other techniques.
There are known techniques for applying protective or coating films, like adhesive films with reflecting or mirrored surface, also suitable for reflecting light.
Films or tesserae are known, which are suited to be applied on various types of surfaces, for example on clothing items, and wherein said films have refracting properties, that is, they reflect the light incident on them, thus becoming visible also form a considerable distance and in poor lighting conditions.
The object of the present invention is a new process for applying refracting and reflecting spheres and/or microspheres on any type of surface, the relevant devices and the product obtained therewith.
The main aim of the present invention is to propose a surface having high
light-reflecting properties, through the application of refracting spheres and/or microspheres.
A further aim of the present invention is to guarantee the permanent adhesion of said spheres and/or microspheres through the previous application of a suitable quantity of binding agent.
Another aim of the present invention is that said spheres and/or microspheres should be able to be applied to any type of surface or material. A further aim of the present invention is to guarantee that said spheres and/or microspheres are suitably immersed in the binding agent, thus optimizing at the same time both the refracting and reflecting capacity of the treated surface, which can be attributed to the emerged portion of the spheres and/or microspheres, and the stable adhesion of the spheres to the binding agent.
These and other direct and complementary aims have been achieved through the implementation of a new process for applying refracting and reflecting spheres and/or microspheres on any type of surface, the relevant devices and the product obtained therewith.
The new process for applying spheres and/or microspheres includes the following stages: ■ applying the binding agent to the surface to be treated; applying the spheres and/or microspheres on said layer of binding agent; any operation aimed at ensuring the adhesion of said spheres and/or microspheres on said surface, like for example compressing or compacting the spheres on the surface itself. In particular, said binding agent is constituted by any type of substance suited to guarantee the adhesion of said spheres and/or microspheres to the surface to be treated.
To be more precise, said binding agent may be a glue, a resin or a varnish/paint, transparent or coloured. The use of enamels or inks or other types of substances suited to serve as a binding agent is also possible. Said binding agent can be used not onl$ to guarantee the adhesion of said spheres and/or microspheres to the treated surface, but it is also used for decoration or protection purposes.
Said binding agent is spread on the entire surface to be treated or on part of the same, in such a way as to form a layer having a thickness suited to guarantee the adhesion of the spheres successively applied. Said spheres or microspheres are fragments of glass, ceramic or plastic, and in the case of said microspheres they have typical dimensions even in the order of microns.
Said spheres and/or microspheres reflect the light incident on them, so that the treated surface is visible even from a considerable distance and in poor lighting and visibility conditions.
Furthermore, said spheres and/or microspheres, in particular in the case of sun radiation, maximize the reflection of light and reduce the quantity of sun radiation transmitted through the surface itself, thus performing also a heat insulating function. Oriented spheres or microspheres may also be used, that is, spheres or microspheres having a silvery hemisphere that increases the reflecting properties of each sphere and lends a chromed hue to the treated surface. The application of said spheres and/or microspheres is carried out, for example, by spraying them with suitable devices like guns or the like. Said spheres and/or microspheres may also be applied through scattering, using sieves or machines that are similar to seeders, for example roller seeders.
To guarantee the perfect and long-lasting adhesion of said spheres and/or microspheres to the treated surface, that is, to reduce to the minimum the number of spheres or microspheres that may come off the treated surface, said application of spheres and/or microspheres must take place immediately after the application of said binding agent.
The application of the spheres must therefore take place in the time interval following the application of the binding agent, but before it dries up, even if partially or superficially. In fact, if said layer of binding agent is still humid, said spheres and/or microspheres can penetrate the layer partially, in such a way as to adhere permanently to it when the binding agent has hardened completely. It has been found that to maximize the light reflecting properties said spheres and/or microspheres must emerge from said layer of binding agent with least 50 % of their volume. The more said spheres and/or microspheres are immersed in the layer of binding agent, the more stable is their adhesion, therefore said spheres or microspheres are immersed in said layer of binding agent with approximately 50 % of their volume, thus optimizing both the refracting properties of the treated surface and the adhesion capacity of the spheres. For this reason, according to the new process the thickness of the layer of binding agent applied to the surface to be treated must be equal to approximately 50% of the diameter of the spheres that will be successively applied. In practice, the quantity of binding agent used and the thickness of the applied layer depend on the diameter of the spheres and/or microspheres used. According to the invention, after application of said spheres and/or
microspheres said treated surface must be compressed, in order to further immerse in the binding agent the spheres and/or microspheres not sufficiently immersed. In this way the adhesion of the spheres and/or microspheres to the treated surface increases. One of the advantages offered by the present patent lies in that it also limits the waste of binding agent, using only the indispensable quantity, and the waste of spheres and/or microspheres, since the percentage of spheres and/or microspheres that come off the surface is reduced to a minimum. The new process can be employed for any type of surface or support, since it is possible to use the type of binding agent that is most suitable for the surface and for the type of decorative and/or protective and/or functional surface treatment to be carried out. Therefore, the new process can be employed for example on: material for making packages or containers in general, for example for food containers, where the refracting surface limits the transmission of sun radiation throμgh the walls of the container itself, thus improving heat insulation; coverings for houses, to reduce heat transmission inside rooms;
■ floors, pavements, kerbs and other items used on roads, which in this way are visible also from a considerable distance and in poor lighting conditions, for example tunnels, guard rails, light posts, and so on;
■ fabrics or leather, for example to make highly visible refracting clothing items and accessories; ■ cosmetic products for the body;
■ decorative coverings;
■ other.
The characteristics of the new process will be highlighted in greater detail in the following description, with reference to the enclosed drawing, attached as an example without limitation.
Figure 1 schematically shows the treated surface, and in particular the layer of binding agent (L) distributed on the surface (Sl) of a support (S), and the spheres (F) partially immersed in said layer of binding agent (L).
The new process for applying spheres and/or microspheres (F) can be used on the surface (Sl) of any type of support (S) made of any material and having any shape, consistency, porosity. In the example shown in Figure 1, said surface (Sl) on which said spheres and/or microspheres (F) are applied is -substantially flat, but said surface
(Sl) may also be curved, concave or convex, with sharp edges, etc.
According to the new technique, spheres and/or microspheres (F) are applied after the application of a layer of binding agent (L). As shown, said spheres and/or microspheres (F) are preferably immersed in said layer of binding agent (L) with approximately 50% of their volume.
In practice, the thickness of said layer of binding agent (L) is preferably equal to the typical radius of the applied spheres and/or microspheres (F).
Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawing, the following claims are expressed.
Claims
1. New surface treatment process suitable for use on supports (S) of any type, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
■ application of one or more layers of binding agent (L) on the whole or part of the surface (S 1 ) of a support (S);
■ application of spheres and/or microspheres (F), suited to reflect and refract the light incident on them, on the whole or part of said surface (Sl) to which said binding agent (L) has been applied, and wherein said spheres and/or microspheres (F) are partially immersed in said layer of binding agent (L) soon after the application of said binding agent (L) itself.
2. New process according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises also the step of compression of said spheres and/or microspheres (F) in said layer of binding agent (L), in order to ensure the adhesion of said spheres and/or microspheres (F) to said surface (Sl).
3. New process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said spheres and/or microspheres (F) are immersed in said layer of binding agent (L) with approximately 50% of their volume.
4. New process according to the previous claim, characterized in that said layer of binding agent (L) has a thickness approximately equal to the radius of said spheres and/or microspheres.
5. New process according to the previous claims, characterized in that said binding agent (L) is glue and/or resin and/or varnish and/or enamel and/or ink and/or another substance suited to hold said spheres and/or microspheres (F) sticking to said surface (Sl).
6. New process according to the previous claims, characterized in that said binding agent (L) is transparent or coloured.
7. New process according to the previous claims, characterized in that said spheres and/or microspheres (F) are fragments of vitreous and/or ceramic and/or plastic material.
8. New process according to the previous claims, characterized in that said spheres and/or microspheres (F) are oriented.
9. New process according to the previous claims, characterized in that said spheres and/or microspheres (F) are applied through a spraying or scattering technique.
10. System for applying spheres and/or microspheres (F) on the whole or part of the surface (S 1) of any type of support (S) according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises: one or more devices for applying and/or printing said binding agent (L) on the whole or part of said surface (Sl); one or more devices for scattering and/or spraying said spheres and/or microspheres (F), acting on the whole or part of said surface
(Sl) immediately after the application of said binding agent (L).
11. Material, object or support (S) in general, characterized in that it comprises a surface (Sl) partially or completely coated by at least one layer of binding agent (L) in which a plurality of spheres and/or microspheres (F) are partially or completely immersed, according to one or more of the previous claims.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IT2006/000524 WO2008007394A1 (en) | 2006-07-10 | 2006-07-10 | Process for applying refracting and reflecting spheres and/or microspheres on surfaces and product obtained therewith |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IT2006/000524 WO2008007394A1 (en) | 2006-07-10 | 2006-07-10 | Process for applying refracting and reflecting spheres and/or microspheres on surfaces and product obtained therewith |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2008007394A1 true WO2008007394A1 (en) | 2008-01-17 |
Family
ID=37697859
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IT2006/000524 WO2008007394A1 (en) | 2006-07-10 | 2006-07-10 | Process for applying refracting and reflecting spheres and/or microspheres on surfaces and product obtained therewith |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2008007394A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2342292A4 (en) * | 2008-10-31 | 2011-07-13 | Potters Industries Inc | Retroreflective coating and method for applying a retroreflective coating on a structure |
| US10245812B2 (en) | 2014-02-13 | 2019-04-02 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Dual cure stain resistant microsphere articles |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3286605A (en) * | 1964-09-30 | 1966-11-22 | Prismo Safety Corp | Apparatus and method for marking a surface |
| US3296010A (en) * | 1963-07-24 | 1967-01-03 | Inland Steel Co | Method of applying reflectorizing coatings |
| US6355302B1 (en) * | 1999-12-10 | 2002-03-12 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Continuous process for making high performance retroreflective fabric |
| WO2005047604A1 (en) * | 2003-11-06 | 2005-05-26 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Retroreflective elements comprising a bonded resin core and pavement markings |
| US20050162742A1 (en) * | 2003-12-30 | 2005-07-28 | Fleming Robert J. | Color shifting retroreflector and method of making same |
| US20060040575A1 (en) * | 2004-08-18 | 2006-02-23 | Kelleher Karen A | Reflective printing on flame resistant fabrics |
-
2006
- 2006-07-10 WO PCT/IT2006/000524 patent/WO2008007394A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3296010A (en) * | 1963-07-24 | 1967-01-03 | Inland Steel Co | Method of applying reflectorizing coatings |
| US3286605A (en) * | 1964-09-30 | 1966-11-22 | Prismo Safety Corp | Apparatus and method for marking a surface |
| US6355302B1 (en) * | 1999-12-10 | 2002-03-12 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Continuous process for making high performance retroreflective fabric |
| WO2005047604A1 (en) * | 2003-11-06 | 2005-05-26 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Retroreflective elements comprising a bonded resin core and pavement markings |
| US20050162742A1 (en) * | 2003-12-30 | 2005-07-28 | Fleming Robert J. | Color shifting retroreflector and method of making same |
| US20060040575A1 (en) * | 2004-08-18 | 2006-02-23 | Kelleher Karen A | Reflective printing on flame resistant fabrics |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2342292A4 (en) * | 2008-10-31 | 2011-07-13 | Potters Industries Inc | Retroreflective coating and method for applying a retroreflective coating on a structure |
| EP2342292A2 (en) * | 2008-10-31 | 2011-07-13 | Potters Industries, Inc. | Retroreflective coating and method for applying a retroreflective coating on a structure |
| US8840956B2 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2014-09-23 | Potters Industries, Llc | Retroreflective coating and method for applying a retroreflective coating on a structure |
| KR101499780B1 (en) * | 2008-10-31 | 2015-03-09 | 포터스 인더스트리즈, 인크. | Retroreflective coating and method for applying a retroreflective coating on a structure |
| US10245812B2 (en) | 2014-02-13 | 2019-04-02 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Dual cure stain resistant microsphere articles |
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