DE2117765A1 - - Google Patents

Description

Funding: Ludwig Eigenmann

Vacallo, Canton Ticino, Switzerland

■ Reflective agglomerate material, especially for horizontal ones Road signals and the associated manufacturing process "

.The invention relates to a. agglomerate material, which is formed by a plurality of glass spheres or beads, which are set in a die so that they are a Form coherent, wear-resistant and weather-proof mass, from which, for example, by pressing, rolling or other processes Insert pieces or elements that are suitable for around on street surfaces or on painting from the horizontal Road signaling material or to be attached directly where it is required, intensive Reflection of the emerging from or above the surface of these inserts, elements or other means to gain protruding pearls of incident light. These agglomerate materials have already become known and are in constant use in the technology of the industry. Particularly With regard to their composition and connection with for road signaling serving strokes is on the

109843/1335

* and "published patent application filed by the same applicant No. 1 784 676 '. In these patents are Uoa. Examples of the compositions of the glass beads containing matrix have been listed, which are also decisive and usable for the implementation of the present invention are.

In these agglomerate materials there is a tendency to use the greatest possible Use the number of glass beads, since the intensity and shine of the reflected light remain the same for the rest Conditions the ratio between the total exposed surface of the insert or signal element and the sum of the exposed surfaces of those emerging from such surface Bead is proportional. For certain geometric reasons considered below, it is not possible to use the running technique to get that from the pearls Volume occupied in the agglomerate mass is a given Percentage of the total volume exceeds the mass itself and that the sum of the areas of the surface of the Insert piece or element emerging domes in turn a given percentage of the elongation of such surface exceeds.

Having said that, it is an object of this invention to provide an agglomerate material for the above or equivalents Uses to create that with the same total volume

109 ^ 43/1335

and under the other conditions that remain the same (with the exception of those given below) a much larger number of globules or pearls inserted therein as the contains number achievable by the known technique, thereby allowing the formation of inserts, elements or to obtain other retroreflective means, on the surface of which a larger number of pearls are present and coming out of them are than the previously achievable number and the sum of their exposed surfaces is in turn greater than that achievable so far.

Essentially, the invention consists in at least two Groups or a plurality of retroreflective beads or spheres, particularly composed of glass, in one for formation To use suitable material for the die, the pearls of the first group having a predetermined and uniform pattern Have diameters while the pearls or at least the larger pearls of the second group or the majority the same have a diameter not greater than 1/5 of the diameter of the pearls of the first group and their Iienge is so determined in terms of volume that these pearls of the second group are in the spaces between the pearls of the first group, with the formation of the ^ .. atriae certain material itself is laid in such a way that it is all between the pearls of both the first and the first of the second group completely fills the existing spaces.

1098A3 / 1335

These and other specific features leave the invention clearly emerge from the following detailed description with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Show it:

- Fig. 1 partially in view and partially in section the most favorable spatial distribution assumed by the pearls, which have a two-knuckle different diameter can be;

- Pig. 2 shows a fragmentary section on a much enlarged scale Scale of an agglomerate according to the invention, said

: Section, for example, along that designated in Fig. 4 with II-II Level is preserved;

- Fig. 3 shows the agglomerate in a flat view in the in Fig. 4 shows the direction indicated by III;

- Fig. 4 shows a fragment of the on a further enlarged scale the surface of the agglomerate lying, for example, in section in the plane designated IV-IV in FIG. 2, wherein the pearls in the above figures 2, 3 and 4 in Are shown from the side;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are graphs showing some important ones Invention interesting geometric relationships veran-. vivid.

To get the greatest number of globules or periches or spherical bodies in a three-dimensional Space that are included, one needs that these iCugelchen or

109843/1335

■ -ο-

Perlclien have the same diameter, consisting z.3. from the pearls 10 given diameter D as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. In this case, the spheres can fit into each layer as neatly as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, so that their centers define the vertices of so many equilateral triangles which together cover the entire surface of the layer. In the middle of each group consisting of three adjoining pearls 10 a cavity is formed, in which a pearl of the higher layer is inserted and so on for the entire volume of said three-dimensional space. Assuming that this space is much larger than the volume of the individual pearls, the sum of the volumes of the latter, even if this orderly and most favorable condition exists, is never about. Exceed 74 ^ of the volume of the room as defined by the following expression:

where V is the sum of the volume of the pearls and V, the

s t

indicates the volume of space in which these pearls are neatly arranged.

The iJirmahuie of 74 / "on the part of the pearls of a ge ^ eDenen three dimensional space is only theoretically achievable because

they have an impeccable evenness and an exact one

109843/1335

Assumes the geometric distribution of these pearls, each group consisting of any four adjoining pearls defining a regular tetrahedron with the centers of these pearls as shown in FIG. In practice and taking into account that it is possible to have easily selectable pearls of essentially the same size, of which, for example, * δΟ ^ ό or preferably 905 & have a diameter that is no larger or no less variable than their average diameter D. , there is the possibility that these pearls saa by a suitable mixture. Take up 60 <fa of the total volume of the room. In addition, in order to obtain the necessary coherence of the agglomeration, the matrix should occupy the entire space not occupied by the pearls, such matrix is za. AOf> occupy the entire space.

It is also involved in the formation, use and in the course of the progressive wear and tear of the signal materials does not allow that half of the pearls protrude from the die. In this case and even under the most favorable geometric conditions, the entire surface exposed in flat projection would be through the pearls occupied by a maximum of $ 91 according to the expression

where A is the sum of the e materialized by the pearls

Surfaces and A ,, the total exposed surface of the

AgglomeratmateriaJ ^ ö aEjdje | 1g3 $ g / 13 3 8

r /
I.

In practice, these pearls survive on average in an AU3inass enclosed between i / 6 and 1/2 their radius r_ (Pig. 4). On average, the projection S ₁ corresponds to a quarter r, ie the pearls 10 are in Pig up to with LL. 4 indicated level discovered. In this Pail "the surface of the agglomerate ₄ appears as shown in Pig. 3 is from the apparent that the surfaces of the exposed dome form 1Ö said Perlchen a very low surface together, which is generally smaller than 40 ^ 0, the total surface area A ,.

.. According to the invention, the largest possible number of beads 10 are used to form the agglomerate, which essentially have a given global diameter D (between 6 and 0.08 mm and preferably between 1.2 and 0.2 mm included), as shown by whose proper spatial distribution is permitted, and further small pearls of smaller diameter d are added and in such a way as to allow the latter small pearls to be inserted into the spaces between the larger small pearls and in such an amount (geometrically considered) that they are as large as possible Number can find space in it, but without causing a significant distance from the larger pearls. Theoretically, the maximum ratio d / D corresponds to between

'the diameters of the smaller or larger pearls za ..

1 / 4.45, but in this case it can be between, the pearls of each

109843/1335

group consisting of four adjoining pearls only one smaller pearl 12 as in Pig. 1 shown. The number of smaller pearls 12 that can be inserted into the spaces between the larger pearls 10 increases as this ratio decreases. In the graph in FIG. 5, the (approximately v / horizontal) curve V _{n represents} the occupation of the total space V, the total volume of which V, (100 $ of this space) is indicated on the top of the graph. The curve V indicates the volume that can be occupied by the smaller pearls as a puncture of the ratio d / D between the diameters of the smaller and larger pearls. This curve tends to be about $ 24 at this time. O inclining d / D (which is obvious because $ 24 represents the $ 60 of the remaining space V, ie ₀ of the volume not occupied by the larger pearls). It should be noted in this regard that with d / D higher than 0.15 a substantial intake of the mentioned hem is achieved by the smaller pearls, which intake is probably higher than $ 20 with d / D in the order of 0.1. The curve V _n - represents the sum of the curves V _n and V i, ie it corresponds to the total volume occupied by the larger and smaller pearls, which largely exceeds 8 $ V at d / D in the order of magnitude of 0.1.

In practice, while it is important that the diameters D der'grösseren Perlchen 10 are essentially the same, the

109843/1335

D ure lime s he of the smaller pearls can also be much different, as long as they never exceed the preselected d_. As a matter of fact is that. The presence of even smaller pearls is advantageous in that the latter can be found in the narrowest areas of the hems enclosed between the larger pearls 10 let use.

In addition to the greatest increase in the number of pearls, a surprising increase in the surface A ^{1 is} achieved, which consists of the sum of all areas of the exposed parts of the smaller and larger pearls as a function of their projection from the die, which is indicated by the on the abscissa of the graph in Pig _o 6 appropriate ratio S / r is indicated. This enlargement results from the comparison of the

Curve A ¹ with curve A, which relates to the single largest e

Ren beads 10 and in any case on the type of formation of the agglomerate with beads of substantially the same diameter relates. This particularly important result when the pearls around za. 1/4 or less of their diameter protrude, is due to the fact that a larger number of smaller pearls on the surface above the through the larger pearls hidden and with dashed IZ journeys indicated portion of the larger pearls are present. In addition, in practice, the shine of so nergeatellen Retro-reflecting materials are even better because the smaller ones

'"TV

1Q9843 / 133.6-

Pearls on average in a proportionally larger outlet survive than the larger pearls.

According to the dimensions given above, for example, the smaller pearls to be mixed with the larger pearls can have an included diameter between 0.8 and 0.01 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.03 mm, but one always has to adhere to the condition, that the ratio between the diameter of the larger pearls between the ' smaller pearls and that of the larger pearls is between 0.2 and 0.05 mm, preferably between 0.17 and 0.08 mm.

Of course it is possible to fill the available space even better with the larger and smaller pearls to be obtained by adding a second row of smaller pearls with a substantially uniform diameter and a third row of even smaller pearls is used, the largest diameter of which in the given proportions with that of the pearls of the second row, whose interstices in turn are then partly through the pearls of the third row are occupied.

For example, using currently available materials it is possible to form agglomerates that za. 60 ^ in terms of volume of pearls with a diameter of the order of magnitude from 3 mm, from $ 20 to $ 24, still of pearls in terms of volume

. Diameters of the order of 0.3 mm and 10? O ■ '. .. · .-: 109 843/1335.

·. 11 -

of which contain a mixture of pearls with an included diameter of between 0.04 and 0.01 mm. In this case the matrix would occupy from 10 to Sf _{0 of} the total volume of the material, and this results in a very rigid and strong, weatherproof and externally impact-resistant material, which has an unusual reflectivity, since it consists almost entirely of inorganic components. When preparing these agglomerates, one must of course take into account the volume that will be taken up by the die after it has been consolidated, and so; The ingredients used to form this matrix are then added in the required quantities to selected and volumetrically dimensioned mixture of beads in order to ensure that it occupies the desired volume. Carefully these ingredients are added with a slight excess in volume, e.g. on the order of 2 or 3f <> on the total, in order to avoid bubbles or cavities forming on the mass of the agglomerate and the inserts or retroreflective elements created by it will.

1098-43 / 1336

Claims (1)

PATENT CLAIMS . 1 ·} Agglomerate material for the formation of retroreflective inserts, elements and layers and Agglpmeratelementeia, in particular for road signaling, überliauptsäehlich for horizontal road signaling, which consists essentially of a plurality of photoreflective spheres or beads, "for example glass beads, which are inserted in a matrix and with the same form a different, but coherent mass, characterized in that a first row of a predetermined and substantially uniform diameter '(D) having spheres or pearls (10) are inserted in the said die so that they are in the volume of the agglomerate in the largest possible number are arranged, and at least a second row of beads or beads (12), the diameter of the larger beads or beads is not greater than one fifth, preferably one eighth of the average diameter (D) of the beads or beads of the ers th row, the Liatrize substantially all of both the first between the beads or pellets and the second row existing spaces occupied and a portion of said beads of both the first and the second row of the surface of the produced by the said Agglomeratmaterxal • retroreflective insert or eluentes or layer 109843/1 £ 35 comes out. 2. ilgglomerate material according to claim 1, characterized in that that the ratio (d / D) between the diameter (d) of the larger en · pearls (12) of the second row and your average diameter of the pearls (10) of the first row is in the order of 0.1 » 3. agglomerate material according to claim 1 or according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least $ 80, preferably $ 90 of pearls at least the first row doesn't be larger or smaller in diameter than 10 $ of their preselected average diameter (D). 4. agglomerate material according to one or more of the claims 1 to 3j characterized in that the pearls of the first row have an included diameter between 3 and 0.08 mm, preferably between 1.2 and 0.2 mm and the pearls of the second row included one between 0.8 and 0.01 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.03 mm Diameter provided the pearls of the first Row have substantially the same diameter, preferably not different than 10 $ too much or too little co whose average diameter is at least $ 80, co ^ preferably by at least $ 90 of these pearls and - * The larger of the pearls in the second row do not cn have a diameter greater than a fifth, preferably an eighth of the aenonnn + en (-average Diameter of the pearls in the first row. Agglomerate material according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pearls of the second row also have substantially the same diameter and that a third row of pearls is present in the said agglomerate, the diameter of which is not greater than a fifth, preferably one eighth of the diameter of the pearls of the second row, the pearls of the third row being present in a certain volume so that they can be inserted into the spaces available between the adjacent pearls of the first and second rows. 6. Manufacturing process of an agglomerate material according to one or more and any of the preceding claims, characterized by the arrangement in one volume-determined amount of a first row of a substantially uniform diameter Pearls, at least a second row of pearls, ^ whose diameter of the larger one is not larger than **> one fifth, preferably one eighth of the diameter of the ω beads of the first row, and determined by the formation of a die to the ingredients, which is suitable to occupy substantially all uu ^m between the beads of the cruteu un &'. the second row of existing spaces, are arranged in the substantially relative most favorable position in order to distribute the greatest possible number of To allow pearls in a room of given volume » 10984 3/133 5 bath original Blank page