AU2021106984A4 - Compositions and methods for joining two surfaces together - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention generally provides composition forjoining or bonding two surfaces together, the composition comprising: (a) a base substrate; 5 (b) a pigment; and (c) a binding agent. In some preferred embodiments, the composition comprises: (a) a base substrate in the form of an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer emulsion; (b) a pigment in the form of an acrylic paint; and .0 (c) a binding agent in the form of a natural or synthetic water-soluble gel substance that is able to form a physico-chemical matrix when admixed with the base substrate and the pigment, so as to form a single composition comprising the binding agent, the base substrate and the pigment. The invention further provides a method of making a composition for joining or bonding two .5 surfaces together, where the composition comprises: (a) a base substrate; (b) a pigment; and (c) a binding agent, and where the method comprises the step of combining or mixing each of ingredients (a), (b) .0 and (c) so as to form the composition. The invention also provides a composition when made by the method. The invention additionally provides a method of making a composition for joining or bonding two surfaces together, where the composition comprises: (a) a base substrate; 25 (b) a pigment; and (c) a binding agent, and where the method comprises the step of combining or mixing each of ingredients (a), (b) and (c) so as to form the composition. The invention also provides a method ofjoining or bonding two surfaces together. In some 30 preferred embodiments, the two surfaces are the two surfaces to be joined or bonded together are the ends of adjoining components of a frame for framing an art piece. The invention may therefore be used to frame art pieces such as paintings, photographs or the like.

Description

Compositions and methods for joining two surfaces together

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for joining two surfaces together. It has particular, although not exclusive application to compositions and methods used in order to join or bond two or more timber or wooden surfaces together. One particular application to which the invention is especially suited is in the framing of art pieces using timber frame elements, where forming a neat and properly filled corner joint (by bringing adjoining and mating frame elements together into abutment) is considered highly desirable. The background to the present invention will therefore be specifically explained by way of example with reference to this particular application to which the invention is especially suited.

Background to the Invention

Wooden or timber products are frequently used in order to form the elements of the frame for a generally two-dimensional art piece (such as a painting, a photograph or the like). In the many instances where the frame is made from wooden materials, typically, the frame is made up of a number of individual components, which are then fitted together in a mating arrangement around the art piece so as to form and define a framed border. Conventionally, the ends of each frame component are cut at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the component, so that when assembled together in the appropriate configuration, in combination, the components of the frame define the border desired around the art piece. In those instances in which the frame is desired to define a square or rectangular border around the art piece, the angle at which the end of each component is cut is typically about 45 degrees relative to the component's longitudinal axis, so that when the cut ends of any two such frame components are brought together into mating abutment, the adjoining frame components will thereby give rise to a right angled corner. In some other instances however, the two-dimensional shape of the art piece itself may not be square or rectangular, and in such a case, the ends of adjoining frame components may correspondingly need to be cut at different acute angles

(relative to the typical 45 degree angle cut usedfor forming rectilinear frames), as may be desired in individual applications.

Regardless of the acute angle (or angles, as the case may be) at which the ends of adjoining/mating frame components need to be cut in any given instance, a neat joint and a quality finish to the joint formed by any pair of adjoining frame components is always desired, in order to give the frame a professional and aesthetically pleasing appearance. At the same time, the joint must of course perform its intended function, namely, to join or bond the adjoining frame components together, so that a suitably strong functional frame structure overall is achieved. The bonding of adjoining frame components could be achieved by using nails, screws or other like securement devices. There are problems with using this technique however. For one thing, the use of mechanical securement means such as nails or screws entails the possibility that one or other or both of the mating frame joint components could be damaged in the process of attempting to bond them together. This possibility is particularly prevalent in those instances where - as is not infrequently the case (particularly with amateur artisans) - the person who seeks to join the components together using this technique does not possess or use the appropriate level of skill, or where excessive force is used in attempting to bond the frame components together. Where this occurs, such damage can result in the frame having an unsightly appearance. Where such damage occurs, it may not be possible to remediate or disguise it. Even where such damage can be repaired or concealed, of necessity, the mere fact that the frame has been damaged requires additional work in order to repair the joint or hide the damage.

For reasons such as these, the use of mechanical securements (such as nails, screws or the like) to bond adjoining components of a wooden picture frame is often not preferred, and is often best avoided. A preferable technique is to deploy a chemical bonding agent to form the joint between any two adjoining frame components. Even then however, joining two such components by using the currently known chemical agents is not simply a matter of gluing them together. The known chemical agents that are used for this purpose include wax based putties or crayons, or are in the form of Gilders paste (a wax paste that typically contains pigments and/or shadings). In bonding two adjoining frame component pieces together, an amount of the chemical agent will invariably be visible to someone who views the joint. As wooden frames for art pieces typically constitute an element of the overall visual impact of the art piece-frame ensemble, the frame components themselves are often either coloured or comprise decorative elements of their own, so as to impart a desired aesthetic impression to the framed art piece in its entirety. In many instances, it is desirable that the joint between adjoining frame components should normally not be unduly visible. Accordingly, in order to be relatively inconspicuous in the context of a frame joint, a chemical bonding agent needs to harmonise aesthetically with the visual appearance of the frame components. For this reason, the known chemical bonding agents come in a variety of colours and can be mixed so as to produce alternative colours, shades, patterns and/or ornamentation, as desired in a given application.

Although at face value, using one of the known chemical bonding agents to (1) form a suitably strong functional frame joint, and at the same time, (2) form a joint having an aesthetically acceptable appearance might seem straight forward, in practice, achieving both these objectives in any given instance is not necessarily a simple matter. In one respect, this is because the wax-based putties and crayons that have to date been used often have a very firm consistency, and are therefore difficult to apply (because they are typically rigid and they do not easily soften or become thinner in consistency in the presence of solvents). These agents are also messy to use, and any excess bonding agent applied can be difficult to remove. These bonding agents also never properly dry, and when used, they can easily transfer to the surfaces of other items that are not intended to receive them. The resulting stains or residues they can cause on surfaces that were not intended to receive them can be extremely difficult, if not impossible to remove.

In contrast, Gilders paste products can be thinned with relative ease by using solvents such as mineral spirits or other conventional paint thinning agents. Using such solvents to alter the consistency of a Gilders paste does assist in some respects in making these agents easier to apply to the desired surfaces. However, the use of such solvents introduces a different set of problems. While Gilders pastes can be thinned by solvents, over the course of time, the solvents can dry out and thus, a joint formed by using them can crack. When this happens, it may be necessary in some cases to reapply the solvent in order to repair the joint.

Secondly, the use of the solvents that can thin Gilders pastes exposes the artisans that use them to certain health hazards. Such solvents can easily cause harm to an individual if, for example, during use, they happen to come into contact with the user's skin or eyes. Individuals who use such solvents also need to take care to avoid inhaling vapours they emit. In addition, prolonged or repeated exposure to such solvents (a particular hazard posed to professional picture framers and other artisans who regularly use them) is known to pose certain unacceptable risks to human health.

Third, Gilders paste products are not suitable for use in relation to a frame that has exposed visible surfaces that are relatively smooth or which have matte finishes, as opposed to frames/mouldings that have decorative features or patterning. Smooth/matte finishes are commonplace in the frames or mouldings used for art pieces. The reason why Gilders pastes and like putties are unsuitable for joint formation in frames that have smooth or matte finishes is that they have a tendency to polish the matte surfaces of the frame when any excess material is removed, making the join unduly noticeable, as the viewer's eye is drawn to the shiny surface on a matte finished frame.

. Accordingly, while the problems posed by the rigidity of wax-based putties or crayons can be overcome by using Gilders paste, the use of Gilders paste in the alternative introduces another set of problems altogether.

The present invention therefore aims to provide compositions and methods of using them in order to join two surfaces together, of a kind which alleviate one or more of these problems of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

The invention therefore generally provides a composition for joining or bonding two surfaces together, the composition comprising:

(a) a base substrate; (b) a pigment; and (c) a binding agent.

In the compositions of the present invention, the base substrate is a water-soluble substance which acts as a substrate with which the pigment and the binding agent may interact so as to give rise to the overall composition.

In some embodiments of the invention, the base substrate may be in the form of a powder or a crystalline material. In some particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the base substrate takes the form of a powder.

In all forms of the invention, it is desirable that the base substrate is not only water-soluble, but that after being combined with the pigment and the binding agent, the base substrate is inherently capable of drying out to a predetermined degree (which is preferably between about 1 and 5 % by weight of the overall composition), so as to give rise to an overall composition of the desired texture or consistency. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, in the state in which it is intended for use in joining or bonding two surfaces together, the composition is generally desired to be in the form of a paste or a cream. In this state, the composition therefore has a consistency and texture that corresponds generally to that of a paste or cream. This means that when the composition is in this state, it has a consistency which renders it workable, so that it may be applied not only to a surface to be bonded to another surface, but also so that it may be applied in, to or into gaps or spaces between two adjoining surfaces. So for example, when the composition is in a cream or paste-like state, this means that it can readily be applied by a picture framer to a narrow gap between two adjoining picture frame components, so as to bind or join the two components together. It also means that other operations can be performed on the composition once it has set or cured to the desired degree in any given instance. For example, once the composition has set or cured to the desired hardness, it can be sanded so as either to remove any excess quantity previously applied, or to work the previously applied composition into a desired shape.

Preferably, in those embodiments in which the base substrate is a powder, the powder is one that contains either:

(a) gypsum; and/or (b) a vinyl polymer emulsion composition.

In the case of (b), a preferred form of vinyl polymer emulsion composition for the purposes of the invention would comprise the following elements:

(1) Calcium carbonate; (2) Talc; (3) Perlite; (4) Clay; (5) A vinyl polymer emulsion; and (6) Water.

Preferably, the vinyl polymer emulsion would comprise a vinyl acetate polymer substance.

A particularly preferred vinyl acetate polymer substance for use in a composition according to the present invention is an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer.

In some preferred forms of the present invention, the base substrate would comprise an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer emulsion having the following chemical composition:

Ingredient: Percentage (by weight) of the overall emulsion:

Calcium Carbonate: 30 to 80% Talc <25% Perlite: <10% Ethylene vinyl acetate <8% polymer Water <45%

In preferred embodiments, the relative proportions of the main ingredients of the overall composition, by weight, are as follows:

(a) the base substrate - between about 38% and about 49%; (b) the pigment - between about 46.7% and about 60%; and (c) the binding agent - between about 2% and 6%.

In some further preferred embodiments, the relative proportions of the main ingredients of the overall composition, by weight, are as follows:

(a) the base substrate - between about 38% and about 49%; (b) the pigment - between about 46.7% and about 56%; and (c) the binding agent - between about 2% and 6%.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the relative proportions of the main ingredients of the overall composition, by weight, are as follows:

(a) the base substrate - about 46.7%; (b) the pigment - about 46.7%; and (c) the binding agent - about 2%.

For the purposes of the present invention, a "pigment" is any water soluble substance that is capable of:

(a) physically and chemically combining with the base substrate and the binding agent so as to form the composition; and (b) imparting a colour or shade to the overall composition.

Preferred pigments for this purpose include natural and synthetic water soluble paints and dyes. Particularly preferred pigments for use in the invention are synthetic paints, such as acrylic paints. Particularly preferred acrylic paints for this purpose are craft acrylic paints such as the so-called "impasto" varieties, which are capable of retaining their structure or texture as applied to a target surface.

A "binding agent" for the purposes of the present invention is any natural or synthetic water-soluble gel substance that is able to form a physico-chemical matrix when combined with the base substrate and the pigment, so as to maintain all three components in a single composition. A key property of the binding agent is therefore that when combined with the base substrate and the pigment, the binding agent provides a matrix that binds all three components in such a physico-chemical relationship to one another as to give rise to an overall unified composition. In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, as part of its actions, the binding agent may thicken the overall consistency of the composition. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the binding agent may optionally also impart an aspect of visual appearance to the overall composition, such as by providing it with a glossed appearance or sheen. In some applications of the invention, such as in some picture framing applications, such an appearance may be considered desirable. Particularly preferred gel substances for use as binding agents in the invention are acrylic gels. Some modern manufactured acrylic gels are capable of providing one or more or all of the previously mentioned attributes of a binding agent for this purpose.

Compositions in accordance with the present invention are water soluble, as each of the base substrate, the pigment and the binding agent are (and when these ingredients combined, the overall composition is) water soluble. One important advantage of this is that in comparison to the wax-based putties and crayons of the prior art, the compositions of the present invention may be made in the form of malleable creams or pastes that after being applied as desired, can later dry so as to form a durable bonding material that joins the two surfaces together. Being water-soluble, if while in the hydrated or "wet" state, a quantity of the starting paste or cream is inadvertently applied to a surface which was not intended to receive it, the unwanted deposit paste or cream can be washed off using water or wiped away by using a wet cloth or a like implement.

The two or more surfaces that are intended to receive the composition of the invention so as to bind them, are each surfaces to which the composition is able physically and chemically to adhere and thereby form a bond between the two surfaces after the water (or at least a sufficient amount of the water) in the (previously hydrated) composition has dried. In some applications, a composition according to the invention may optionally be formulated so as to retain a residual quotient of water, so that it does not lose more than a predetermined amount of the water that was present in the hydrated starting composition. In this regard, in some embodiments of the invention, in a "dry" state, the residual water content of the composition is between about 1% and 5% by weight. Formulating a composition in this way could be achieved by carefully selecting the starting ingredients so that a certain level of hydration is inherently retained when the composition reaches the "dry" state. Alternatively, this could be achieved by including one or more water-retention or hydrating agents in the formulated composition. By formulating the starting composition so that a predetermined residual quotient of water is retained when it reaches the dry form, the chances of later encountering unwanted cracking or breakage of the dried composition (and thus, the chances of avoiding loss of the strength of the bond otherwise formed) can be reduced.

The surfaces to be joined together could be on any two- or three dimensional objects. So for example, the two surfaces could be or could comprise:

(a) two surfaces, each in two dimensions; (b) a three dimensional surface to be joined to a two-dimensional surface (or vice-versa); or (c) two surfaces, each of which comprises a three-dimensional aspect.

A "surface", for the purposes of the invention, is a surface of any shape or configuration, and of any material (whether wood, timber, artificial stone,

[including the artificial stone product known as Caesarstone*, the trade mark registration for which is owned in Australia, as at 11 December 2018, by Caesarstone Limited of Israel], bench top vinyl veneers, ceramics, natural stone, metals, plastics, glass or otherwise, to which the composition may bind or adhere. It is envisaged that in its main commercial application, the invention is intended to be used in order to join or bond two or more wooden or timber surfaces together. As previously mentioned, in this general embodiment, the surfaces to be joined include adjoining or mating elements of a wooden frame for a generally two-dimensional art piece, such as a painting, a photograph, a poster, a certificate or the like. In this general embodiment, either or both of the two surfaces could be worked so as to present a generally smooth texture (this could be achieved by sanding, planning or like operations), or alternatively, either or both could feature textural aspects, as might be desired in given instances. It is to also be noted however that irrespective of other considerations, an art piece to be so framed could also comprise one or more three-dimensional elements (such as, for example, textural or other elements that are generally upstanding from the two-dimensional planar aspect of the art piece), and so, the use of the invention to frame such an object also falls within the scope of the invention.

The present invention also generally provides a method of making a composition for joining or bonding two surfaces together, where the composition comprises:

(a) a base substrate; (b) a pigment; and (c) a binding agent,

where the method comprises the step of combining or mixing each of (a), (b) and (c) so as to form the composition.

Preferably, the method also includes the step of combining or mixing each of (a), (b) and (c) so as to form a composition which is substantially homogeneous and substantially free of coarse particles.

Preferably further, the composition so formed by the method has the consistency of a paste or a cream-like substance. Preferably further, the paste or cream-like substance is such that it may be applied so as to join or bond two adjoining surfaces together.

The present invention also generally provides a composition for joining or bonding two surfaces together, where:

(1) the composition comprises:

(a) a base substrate; (b) a pigment; and (c) a binding agent; and

(2) the composition is made by a method as described in the preceding three paragraphs.

The present invention also generally provides a method of joining or bonding two surfaces together, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a composition in the manner previously described in the preceding paragraphs of this section;

(b) bringing the two surfaces into alignment so as to define a joint space or cavity between them;

(c) applying one or more quantities of the composition into the joint cavity orspace;and

(d) curing or setting the composition within the joint space or cavity.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the two surfaces concerned are end surfaces of adjoining components of a frame for an art piece.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the Invention

Preferred embodiments of the Invention will now be described with reference to the following Examples.

A. Overview - The ingredients of the compositions disclosed in the Examples

In the Examples that follow, the starting ingredients for the exemplified compositions of the invention comprise the following: (a) The base substrate

In the Examples, this is provided by a plasterboard topping agent. The topping agent used is Gyprock© Ultra Top Topping Compound (manufactured and sold in Australia by CSR Building Products Limited). This takes the form of a powdered material which is readily water soluble. It is a vinyl-polymer emulsion based compound whose chemical composition is as follows:

Ingredient Percentage (by weight)

Calcium carbonate 30-80% Water <45%

Talc <25% Perlite <10% Mica <5% Ethylene vinyl acetate polymer <8% emulsion Starch <3% Polyvinyl alcohol <3% Cellulose ether <2% Attapulgite <3% Crystalline quartz (if present) <0.1%

[Source: CSR Building Products Limited Material Safety Data Sheet for CSR Gyprock*Vinyl-based products, as published on the World-Wide Web at the Internet address https://www.gyprock.com.au/pages/resources/msds.aspx. The trade mark GYPROCK is registered in Australia, and the trade mark registration concerned is owned by CSR Building Products Limited].

The content of the CSR Gyprock*Vinyl-based products Material Safety Data Sheet is expressly incorporated into this specification by reference, as if that content were set out verbatim in this document.

In order to make a quantity of the composition, the topping compound is mixed with water so as to provide a paste-like consistency, and then admixed with a pigment and binder in order to provide the overall composition. The topping compound is able to dry relatively quickly. This occurs between about 5 minutes and 20 minutes, depending on the prevailing temperature and its presence in the overall composition gives it a consistency and degree of strength such that when set or cured (ie, "dry"), it can be sanded or worked manually or by using an implement or tool so as to form the composition into a desired shape (such as a filled space that defines a joint between two adjoining picture frame components).

The quantity of the base substrate used in a given instance depends factors such as the colour desired for the end composition, and on the degree of structural rigidity desired for the composition.

(b) The pigment

In the Examples, this is one or more "impasto" acrylic paints of the kind that are typically used in arts or crafts applications. The paint used in any instance can be a single colour or a combination of several paints of different colours, so as to achieve the hue desired in any given instance. Where paints of different colours are used in combination, the quantity of any particular colour used in a given combination will depend on the nature of the final colour desired to be made.

(c) The binding agent

The binding agent used in the following Examples is a gloss gel composition, which provides a "medium" level of gloss finish. (In other embodiments of the invention, the gel used could be one which provides a no gloss (ie, matte), a low-gloss, or even a high gloss finish, as might be desired in individual instances). The particular medium gloss gel composition used in the Examples is a product known as Derivan@ Matisse@ - Gel Medium Gloss, sold by the Australian company Derivan Pty Ltd (whose Internet web site appears at www.derivan.com.au. The trade marks DERIVAN and MATISSE are registered in Australia and the registrations concerned are owned by Derivan Pty Ltd). The Applicant has found this product particularly suitable for use in making compositions in accordance with its invention.

B. How to make the compositions

In order to make compositions in accordance with the invention (such as those described in the Examples), the following procedure is used.

First, the required quantities of each of the essential ingredients (ie, the base substrate, the pigment(s) used, and the binding agent) to make a particular composition are weighed.

Those quantities of the ingredients are then placed in a mixing receptacle. The mixing receptacle must be clean so as to avoid adulteration of the ingredients and of the composition to be made from them.

The ingredients are then mixed together until they are sufficiently uniformly combined, at which point a composition is formed which has a cream or paste-like consistency. In most embodiments of the invention, it is preferred that the mixing of the ingredients results in the composition not only having a cream or paste-like consistency, but that the cream or paste has been mixed to the point where it is substantially, if not completely free of coarse particles or particles that would impart a gritty texture to the cream or paste. In most applications of the invention, the presence of coarse particles in the composition is generally undesirable, and to be avoided.

The mixing procedure normally takes about 5 minutes at temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius in the environment surrounding the mixing receptacle, but in some instances, it can take as long as 7 minutes, depending on the desired end colour of the composition in a given instance. In general though, the higher the temperature, the shorter the mixing time required (and vice-versa). The mixing of the ingredients could be achieved manually using a paint mixing implement or the like, where making a relatively small quantity (typically, batches of less than about 10 Kilograms) of the composition is desired. In larger scale manufacture of compositions according to the invention, machines could instead be used for this purpose. In preferred embodiments of the invention, a reference sample of the desired finished composition would often be provided, so that the visual properties (ie, colour, shading and sheen/gloss) of a particular manufactured batch could be inspected and compared to those of the reference sample. In this way, the composition of the manufactured batch could be altered so as to achieve a match with the visual properties of the reference sample. As a general rule, the quantity of the base substrate would not normally be altered in order to achieve a match with the visual properties of the reference sample: rather, the alterations would normally be changes to (a) the quantity (or quantities, as the case may be) of one or more of the pigment(s) used, or (b) the quantity of the binding agent used in making the batch. In this regard, the Applicant has found that the visual properties of the "wet" or "starting" composition is generally lighter in colour to the set or cured composition, due to the drying that of necessity takes place duringthe manufacturing process. TheApplicant has alsofoundthat in general, the set or cured composition used in a given instance should preferably be coloured or have a hue slightly darker than that of the components which it is intended to join. The reason for this is that where a composition is used which is darker than that of the surrounding frame components/mouldings is less noticeable visually than if a composition of a lighter shade (relative to the surrounding frame elements/mouldings) is used. In this regard, the Applicant has found overtime through the collective experience of its technical personnel, that a small amount of shadow cast by a darker material is usually more appealing to the eye than a lighter strip, which in comparison, tends to draws a viewer's eye unduly to the visible features of the joint.

The Applicant has also found that if compositions made in accordance with the present invention are stored appropriately, they are still able to be used as joint forming materials for up to 12 months. The Applicant has found in this regard that if quantities of the inventive compositions are stored upright in sealed tube-like containers, that they can be used 12 months after initial manufacture, without loss of joint-forming activity. In general, in order to retain activity, compositions made in accordance with the invention should be kept away from heat (meaning temperatures above 25 Degrees Celsius). In general, storage conditions lower than 25 Degrees Celsius are preferred for this purpose. Indeed, the Applicant has even experimented with freezing samples of the composition at temperatures around minus 18 Degrees Celsius. It then thawed the frozen samples and found that there was no discernible loss (if any) in the joint-forming capability of the thawed compositions.

Optionally, after a period of storage, the consistency of compositions made in accordance with the invention may be loosened or thinned by adding water.

C. How to apply the compositions so as to join or bind two objects together Once a batch of the composition has been made and after quality control inspection, the batch has been found to be acceptable for the intended use, the batch is typically loaded into an applicator so that it may be applied where desired. In some embodiments, the applicator might be a tube for applying a past or a cream-like substance to a surface, such as, for example, a traditional caulking gun.

In the context of framing an art piece however, in many instances, the composition would be applied manually by a human hand to the frame components concerned. For this purpose, for best practice occupational and even domestic health and safety compliance purposes, the Applicant recommends that an individual's hand that is used to apply the composition should be covered by a protective glove made from a suitable material, such as latex or the like, to avoid unnecessary contact with the composition. The nature of the protect gloves that could be used for this purpose would be readily understood by ordinary persons of skill in the field of the invention.

In yet other instances in picture framing operations, a manually operated tool or implement could be used as the applicator. Such tools or implements would include a spatula, a scarping tool and a stiff bristled brush.

In a typical framing application where forming a joint between two adjoining frame components is desired, the two frame components concerned are brought into alignment so as to form a joint space between them to be filled by the composition. A suitable quantity of the composition is then applied to a finger on one of the artisan's hands, and the quantity is applied by pushing and/or rubbing the quantity into the joint space, so as to fill it. Additional quantities of the composition are applied in the same way until the joint is sufficiently filled.

The filled joint is then left to dry. In a typical case where the ambient environment surrounding the joint is at between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, the drying process takes between about 1 to 10 minutes (and typically, it takes about 5 minutes). The time taken to reach this point in any given instance will vary according to factors such as the ambient temperature surrounding the filled joint, and the volume of the joint space that required filling. Whether the joint is sufficiently dry can normally be determined by visual inspection. When sufficiently dry, the composition in the joint will usually have lost its former glossy appearance, and small cracks may begin to have formed. Any excess composition may be removed by wiping them away, moving in a direction towards the corner of the joint (and by not wiping along the joint itself, by using a damp cloth or soft brush such as a toothbrush. If the joint happens in a given case to exhibit signs of excess dampness, these may be removed by using a dry cloth.

Once the joint has dried sufficiently and has set to sufficient level of strength, it can then be worked (such as by sanding), and painted, if desired.

D Examples

The Applicant now provides examples of compositions according to the invention.

Example 1 The following proportions of starting ingredients could be used to make a paste or cream that could be used to bind or join two picture frame components together, and where the set or cured composition would provide the joint with a natural brown finish: Ingredient Percentage of overall weight

Gyprock - Ultra Top, Topping 46.7% Compound

Global Colour - Fine art Student 46.7% Impasto Acrylic - White

Global Colour - Fine art Student 3.3% Impasto Acrylic - Burnt Umber 3.3% Global Colour - Fine art Student 1.3% Impasto Acrylic - Yellow Oxide

Derivan Matisse - Gel Medium 2% Gloss

Example 2 The following proportions of starting ingredients could be used to make a paste or cream that could be used to bind or join two picture frame components together, and where the set or cured composition would provide the joint with a rich brown finish:

Ingredient Percentage of overall weight

Gyprock - Ultra Top, Topping 46.7% Compound

Global Colour - Fine art Student 46.7% Impasto Acrylic - Burnt Umber 3.3% Global Colour - Fine art Student 4.6% Impasto Acrylic - Black

Derivan Matisse - Gel Medium 2% Gloss

E Advantages of the use of the invention

In the context of picture framing and like applications, the present invention provides a number of advantages over the agents and methods known in the prior art. These include:

(1) the compositions of the invention may be formulated to many different consistencies, as desired for different applications; (2) the compositions of the invention do not use oil-based solvents or oily waxes. Hence, amongst other things, health issues associated with exposing artisans to such substances are avoided; (3) cleaning excess amounts of the compositions is simplified, as they can easily be cleaned simply by using water (such as on a damp cloth); (4) the compositions of the invention dry relatively quickly (within 1 to 10 minutes from application) and the compositions of the invention dry to a sufficiently strong durable finish; (5) at the same time, when dry, the finished compositions according to the invention still retain a degree of flexibility; (6) the dried finished compositions can readily be sanded and/or painted as desired; (7) the inventive compositions may be made in a wide range of colours; and (8) they may be applied to a wide range of objects, and also to a wide range of materials to be bonded or joined.

Interpretation of this specification

It will therefore be understood that the invention could take many forms and be put to many different uses. All such forms and uses are embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is to be understood as not being limited to the particular compositional details of the embodiments discussed above, but which extends to each novel feature and combination of features disclosed in or evident from this specification (which includes the accompanying claims and drawings). All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

It will also be understood that the term "comprises" (or its grammatical variants), as used in this specification, is equivalent in meaning to the term "includes" and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features. Further, wherever used in this specification, the term "includes" is not a term of limitation, and is not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.

Throughout this specification, wherever any of the verbs "join", "bond", "bind" or "adhere" are used, unless the context indicates, requires or implies otherwise, these verbs are to be understood as being equivalent in meaning to one another, and they are to be deemed to be interchangeable with one another. So too are nouns or adjectives derived from these verbs, such as, by way of example, the nouns "joint", "bond" or "adhesion".

It is further to be understood that any discussion in this specification of background or prior art documents, devices, acts, information, knowledge or use ('Background Information') is included solely to explain the context of the invention. Any discussions of such Background Information is not be taken as an admission in any jurisdiction that any such Background Information constitutes prior art, part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the field of the invention on or before the earliest priority date or any priority date which the present application claims.

Divisional application

This complete specification accompanies a divisional application, being one divided from Australian patent application No 2018278867. The entire disclosure of the complete specification (as filed) for Australian patent application No 2018278867 (including the disclosure of the abstract, disclosure, claims, and drawings is incorporated by reference into the present specification, as if that disclosure was expressly set out in this document.

Claims (5)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A composition for joining or bonding two surfaces together, where the two surfaces are surfaces of materials that, between them, comprise:

(1) wood or timber;

(2) bench top vinyl veneer;

(3) a ceramic material:

(4) natural stone:

(5) a metal;

(6) a plastic material: or

(7) glass,

the composition comprising:

(a) a base substrate;

(b) a pigment; and

(c) a binding agent,

where the base substrate is a water-soluble power or crystalline substance which acts as a substrate that interacts when admixed with the pigment and the binding agent so as to give rise to the overall composition;

and where the pigment comprises a water-soluble substance that is capable of:

(A) physically and chemically combining with the base substrate and the binding agent so as to form the composition; and

(B) imparting a colour or shade to the overall composition;

and where the binding agent comprises a natural or synthetic water-soluble gel substance that is able to form a physico-chemical matrix when admixed with the base substrate and the pigment, so as to form a single composition comprising the binding agent, the base substrate and the pigment.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1, in which, after the base substrate is admixed with the pigment and the binding agent, the composition so formed is capable of drying to a predetermined degree within 10 minutes of the base substrate being admixed with the pigment and the binding agent so as to be in the form of or to have a texture or consistency corresponding to that of a paste or cream.

3. A composition as claimed in either of claim 1 or claim 2, in which the base substrate comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer emulsion having the following chemical composition:

Ingredient: Percentage (by weight) of the overall emulsion:

Calcium Carbonate: 30 to 80% Talc <25% Perlite: <10% Ethylene vinyl acetate <8% polymer Water <45%.

4. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the relative proportions (by weight of the overall composition) of the ingredients (a) to (c) of claim 1 are as follows:

(a) the base substrate - between about 38% and 49%;

(b) the pigment - between about 46.7% and about 56%; and

(c) the binding agent - between about 2% and about 6%.

5. A composition as claimed in claim 4, in which the relative proportions (by weight of the overall composition) of the ingredients (a) to (c) of claim 1 are as follows:

(a) the base substrate - about 46.7%;

(b) the pigment - about 46.7%; and

(c) the binding agent - about 2%.

DATED: 24 August 2021

BE FORMATIVE PTY LTD (Australian Company Number 608 573 968)

By its Patent Attorneys

KNIGHTSBRIDGE PATENT ATTORNEYS