AU610980B2 - Minimising harmful emissions from buildings - Google Patents

Description

~jI OPI DATE 11/08/89 APPLN. ID 29247 89 rk-l. AOJP DATE 07/09/89 PCT NUMBER PCT/DE89/00022 INTERNATIONALE ANMELDUNG VEROFFENTLICHT NACH DEM VERTRAG OBER DIE INTERNATIONALE ZUSAMMENARBEITAUF EMK BI kDEJVTE WESENS (PCT) (51) Internationale Patentklassifikation 4 1)1ei ti alu rbi ch numnmer: WO 89/ 06725 E04B 1/72 Al 43) Internationales Veriiffelntlichungsdatum: 27. Juli 1989 (27.07.89) (21) Internationales Aktenzeichen: PCT/DE89/00022 (72) Erfinder ;und Erfinder/Anmelder (nur far US) :IGELBOSCHER, (22) Internationales Anmeldedatum: Heinrich [DE/DE]; Frielinghausstrale 37 a, D-4390 19. Januar 1989 (19.01.89) Gladbeck GRESCH, Heinrich [DE/DE]; Franz- Lehar-S trage 25, D-4600 Dortmund DE- WERT, Heribert [DE/DE]; Bahnhofstra~e 23, D-4390 (31) Priori tAtsa ktenze icben: P 38 01 652.4 Gladbeck (DE).

P 38 05 428.0 P 3806 084.1 (74) Anwalt: SAARBERGWERKE AG; Rechts- und Ver- P 38 07 489.3 sicherungswesen, Postfach 10 30, D-6600 Saarbrtik- P 3807 501.6 ken (DE).

(32) Prioritlitsdaten: 21. Januar 1988 (21.01.88) 22. Februar 1988 (22.02.88) (81) Bestimmungsstaaten: AT fiurop~isches Patent), AU, 26. Februar 1988 (26.02.88) BE (europ~iisches Patent), CH (europdisches Patent), 8. M~rz 1988 (08.03.88) DE (europtiisches Patent), FR (europaisches Patent), 8. Mdrz 1988 (08.03.88) GB (europhisches Patent), IT (europidisches Patent), JP, LU (europaisches Patent), NL (europtiisches Pa- (33) Prioritiitsland: DE tent), SE (europaisches Patent), SU, US.

(71)(72) Anmelder und Erfinder: HOLTER, Heinz [DE/DE]; Veriiffentlicht Beisenstra~e 39-41, D-4390 Gladbeck Mii internationalem Recherchenbericht.

(54) Title: PROCESS FOR PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO CHEMICALLY AND/OR BIOLOGICALLY HARMFUL SUBSTANCES GIVEN OFF BY BUILDING SURFACES (54) Bezeichnung: VERFAHREN ZUR VERMEIDUNG VON BELASTUNGEN DURCH CHEMISCHE UND/ODER BIOLOGISCRE SCHADSTOFFE, DIE VON BAUFLACHEN EMiT-rIERT WERDEN (57) Abstract To prevent exposure to chemically and/or biologically harmful substances given off by building surfaces, in particular walls, floors and ceilings in housing, a revetment is mounted in front of the building surface of interest and the harmful substances, wh' .h collect in the gap, are extracted by means of an absorption Filter. The bactericidal and fungicidal activity of adhesives used, for example for pasting wallpaper, is reinforced if the adhesives are either strongly basic (pH 13) or strongly acidic (pH (57) Zusammenfassung Zur Vermeidung von Belastungen durch chemnische und/oder biologische Schadstoffe, welche von Bauflachen, insbesondere von W~nden, FuI'b6den und Decken in Wohnrdumen emittiert werden, wi~d vorgeschlagen, vor der jeweiligen Baufldche eine Verkleidung anzubringen und die im Zwischenraum sich sammelnden Schadstoffe iOber emn Absorptionsfilter zu leiten. Bei der Verwendung von Klebestoff beispielsweise zum Befestigen von Tapeten, wird dieser zur Verstdrkung der bakteriziden und fungiziden Wirkung entweder stark basisch (pH-Wert 13) oder stark sauer (pH-Wert ausgebildet.

were the first application... made in a Convention country in respect of the invention the subject of the application.

Insert place and date of signature. Declared at Gladbeck this 27 day of November 1989 Signature of declarant(s) (no attestation required) Note: Initial all alterations.

1A PROCESSING FOR PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO CHEMICALLY AND/OR BIOLOGICALLYHARMFUL SUBSTANCES GIVEN OFF BY BUILDING SURFACES The invention refers to a process to avoid pollution by chemical and/or 10 biological harmful substances emitted from building surfaces, particularly bywalls, floors and ceilings in living areas. The invention also provides a building treated S. by the process.

Impregnating materials, the fumes of which may lead to pollution for humans, animals and plants are often used in the building industry. As an 15 example, this may be the case for released formaldehyde.

In addition, the number of people who are allergic to germs, spores and dust, for example mould and mites, is increasing all the time.

To prevent fungus attack on wallpapers it is already known in this respect to impregnate the wallpapers with special fungicide-effective chemicals. The 20 inherent disadvantage is that the wallpapers must be impregnated as they are being manufactured, resulting in increased marketing costs for such wallpapers, since a distinction has to be made constantly between impregnated and nonimpregnated wallpapers. Moreover, it cannot be ignored that, especially in the case of fairly long storage and shelf life, the impregnating agents evaporate and the fungicide effect is considerably reduced.

The object of the present invention is to develop a simple process for minimising the emission of harmful substances from building surfaces, such as walls, floors and ceilings in living rooms. The invention meets this objective by arranging an absorption layer for binding the harmful substances and/or a strongly acidic or strongly basic layer between the building surface and a lining overlaying the surface.

The invention also provides a building having a building surface such as a wall, a floor or ceiling which emits chemical and/or biological substances, 910228,gjnspe.003,Holter.Spe,1 -2wherein an abso'ption layer for binding the harmful substances and/or a strongly acidic or strongly basic layer is arranged between the building surface and a lining overlaying the surface.

In simple fashion the invention substantially prevents harmful emissions, such as the evaporation of formaldehyde, from building surfaces into rooms, as almost all harmful substances are bound in the absorption layer located between the building surface and its lining. The absorption materials used are typically chemical sorption means, or active carbon, which has been applied, for example, "to a fibrous solid support but other suitable materials may of course be employed.

10 The lining of the building surface can be provided by complementary .i plates, or by the associated floor covering or wallpaper itself. When wallpapers are used, it proves useful to provide the absorption layer on the reverse of the wallpaper with an adhesive layer suitable for wallpapers and to adhere this go directly onto the wall.

It is a further advantage if a pH value 3.5 or 13 is set in the absorption layer by corresponding handling or soaking. In either a strongly acidic or strongly basic range, living conditions deteriorate for undesired organisms such *500 as mould and mites.

o With strongly contaminated building surfaces especially, drains can be laid to further improve the separation effect within the absorption layer; these drains are attached to a central device for sucking away evaporated harmful substances such as formaldehyde. This device is preferably controlled by a sensor, depending

P

on the degree of contamination. A suitable disinfecting or impregnation agent oo can be supplied through such drains in order to improve the biocidal and fungicidal activity of the absorption layer.

According to a further preferred feature, especially during processing of wallpapers, there is a proven advantage in using, with or instead of the absorption layer, an adhesive which is made from substances biologically non-hazardous to buildings and which is either strongly acidic with a pH value less than 3.5, or strongly basic with a pH value greater than 13. Such adhesives preferably consist of natural products, such as gum arabic, which remain highly respiratorily active Z 9102?28,gjnspa.003,Ho1ter.Spe,2 I i -3even after drying. The fungicide and bactericide effect is achieved by mixing the above materials with organic basic or acidic substances and, if required, also with environmentally friendly disinfectant agents. The adhesives or their active components diffuse during the drying process up to the surface of the applied wallpaper, so that this becomes totally resistant to fungus and/or mite attack.

Depending on the desired decontamination it is also feasible to provide several adhesive layers without any problem. On this occasion a strongly basic t •layer (pH value 13) is applied to the wall. Then a neutral intermediate layer, e.g. of plastic, is provided, prefer bly with heat insulating properties. Finally, the 10 wallpaper is glued to the intermediate layer by using this time a strongly acidic "adhesive (pH value In many cases it could be additionally useful to impregnate the wallpaper itself with materials which have biocidal or fungicidal effect, or to use permeable or appropriately perforated wallpapers.

When using such biologically highly effective wallpaper adhesive in many cases a further absorption layer can be omitted between the wallpaper and the oo..o to-be-covered wall.

For the same reasons it is also sensible when lining building surfaces with :plaster layers, to use a plaster which is either strongly basic, with a pH value greater than 13, or strongly acidic, with a pH value less than 3.5. Here also, the plaster can be applied in several layers, if required, whereby, when the wallpaper S. is being adhered to the building surface, a basic reactive layer is applied, then a neutral intermediate layer, and finally an acidic reactive layer is applied. Another natural substance can be added to the plaster to increase its elasticity.

910228,gjnspe.003,Holter.Spe,3 .r i-

Claims (19)

1. Process for minimising the emission of chemical and/or biological harmful substances from building surfaces, particularly by walls, floors and ceilings in living areas, wherein an absorption layer for binding the harmful substances and/or a strongly acidic or strongly basic layer is arranged between the building surface and a lining overlaying the surface.

2. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the absorption layer is treated with 10 a strongly acidic and/or strongly basic impregnation agent.

3. Process as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said lining is a covering for the building surface such as a wallpaper or floor covering.

4. Process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said wallpaper includes an adhesive which is made from substances biologically non-hazardous to buildings and which has a pH value 3.5 or 13 when mixed with inorganic, basic or acidic substances. S

5. Process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the absorption layer or the wallpaper adhesive is formed from several layers, whereby first a strongly basic layer is applied to the wall to be papered, followed by a neutral layer and finally a strongly acidic layer.

6. Process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the absorption layer and/or the adhesive used is additionally treated with commercial, environmentally friendly disinfectant agents.

7. Process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lining is perforated. 910228,gjnspe.003,Holter.Spe,4 i i; *jll

8. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strongly acidic or strongly basic layer is provided by a plaster layer applied to the building surface, which layer has a pH value 3.5 or 13.

9. Process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plaster is made from several layers, whereby a basic reactive layer is applied first to the building surface, then a neutral intermediate layer, and finally an acidic layer.

10. Process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein drains are provided 0: 10 in the absorption layer to facilitate suction of the harmful substances, and/or to supply impregnation agents or disinfectant agents. *0S*

11. A building to which the process of any one of claims 1 to 10 has been S: applied.

12. A building having a building surface such as a wall, a floor or ceiling which emits chemical and/or biological substances, wherein an absorption layer for binding the harmful substances and/or a strongly acidic or strongly basic layer is S. arranged between the building surface and a lining overlaying the surface.

13. A building as claimed in claim 12, wherein the absorption layer includes S. a strongly acidic and/or strongly basic impregnation agent.

14. A building as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein said lining is a covering for the building surface such as a wallpaper or floor covering.

A building as claimed in any one of claims 12, 13 or 14, wherein the absorption layer or the wallpaper adhesive is formed from several layers, including a strongly basic layer applied to the wall, followed by a neutral layer and finally a strong acidic layer. 910 22 8,ginspe.003,Holter.spe,5 .4 4 4.. 500* 0 @4 4* 4 -6-

16. A building as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 15, wherein the absorption layer and/or the adhesive used includes commercial, environmentally friendly disinfectant agents.

17. A building as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the lining is perforated.

18. A building as claimed in claim 12, wherein said strongly acidic or strongly basic layer is provided by a plaster layer applied to the building surface, which layer has a pH value 3.5 or 13.

19. A building as claimed in claim 18, wherein the plaster is made from several layers, includes a basic reactive layer applied to the building surface, then a neutral intermediate layer, and finally an acidic layer. A building as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein drains are provided in the absorption layer to facilitate suction of the harmful substances, and/or to supply impregnation agents or disinfectant agents. i S @4 4 @0 0 4 r, S. 4i .4 4 @4 4 @4 Dated this 28th day of February 1991 HEINZ HOLTER By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON N. 910228,gjnspe.003,Holter.Spe,6 .Y- I r INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International Application No PCT/DE 89/00022 I. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER (if several classification symbols apply, Indicate all) According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both National Classification and IPC Int.C1.4 E 04 B 1/72 II. FIELDS SEARCHED Minimum Documentation Searched 7 Classification System Classification Symbols nt. C1.4 E 04 B Documentation Searched other than Minimum Documentation to the Extent that such Documents are Included In the Fields Searched I III. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT' Category Citation of Document, It with Indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages 12 Relevant to Claim No. 1 A Derwent Patent Abstracts, Section Ch, Week 8649, 24 November 1986, Derwent Publications Ltd (London, GB) see page 1, Class A, abstract no. 86 322202/49 JP, A, 61238706 (DAINIPPON INK CHEM.) 24 October 1986 A Derwent Patent Abstracts, Section CH, Week 8601, 29 July 1985, Derwent Publications Ltd (London, GB) see page 1, Class A, abstract no. 86 002074/01 HU, A, 035701 (KEMIKAL EPITOANYAGI) 29 July 1985 A Derwent Patent Abstracts, Section Ch, Week 8222, 24 April 1982, Derwent Publications Ltd (London, GB) see page 1, Class A, abstract no. 82 44809E/22 JP, A, 57067508 (OZEKI KAGKU KOGYO) 24 April 1982 Special categories of cited documents: to later document published after the International filing date document defining the general state of the art which is not or priority date and not in conflict with the application but considered to be of particular relevance cited to understand the principle or theory underlying the invention erlier document but published on or after the international document of particular relevance; the claimed nvention cannot be considered novel or cannot be considered to document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or involve an inventive step which is cited to establish the publication date of another document of particular relevance; the claimed invention citation or other special reason (as specified) cannot be considered to Involve an inventive step when the document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or document is combined with one or more other such docu- other means ments, such combination being obvious to a person skilled document published prior to the international filing date but in the art. later than the priority date claimed document member of the same patent family IV. CERTIFICATION Date of the Actual Completion of the International Search Date of Mailing of this International Search Report March 1989 (30.03.89) 17 April 1989 (17.04.89) International Searching Authority Signature of Authorized Officer European Patent Office Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (Janualy 1985)