EP2076385A2

EP2076385A2 - Improvements in or relating to barrier material

Info

Publication number: EP2076385A2
Application number: EP07860946A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stephen Arthur Dickins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-11
Filing date: 2007-10-11
Publication date: 2009-07-08
Also published as: WO2008044949A3; AU2007307392A1; WO2008044949A2; CA2666309A1

Abstract

The invention consists in a barrier material comprising a substrate of a foamed material with at least one layer of tape or sheet material adhered to the substrate. The tape or sheet has filaments therein which are preferably parallel filaments. The invention has many uses including a crowd barrier, pre-fabricated cubicle, an underlay, a soft barrier, a cable covering, a superstructure support, boxing, a shield, and a mattress or bed stabiliser.

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Barrier Material

TECHNICAL FEELB OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a barrier material and has been devised particularly though not necessarily solely for use as a barrier material which will provide protection whilst being lightweight and effective in use.

BACKGROUND AST

It is often desired to provide barriers and other constructions that are lightweight, simple to erect and which will resist substantial impact or pressure. In existing situations where products such as expanded foam products are used, upon bending, the foam material compresses under tension from the outer circumference of the bend which stretches. The material may also crack or tear. This is disadvantageous.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a barrier material which will go at least some way towards meeting the foregoing disadvantages in a simple yet effective manner or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention consists in a barrier material comprising a substrate of a foamed material, the substrate having thereon, therein or both at least one layer of tape or sheet material adhered in or to the substrate, the tape or sheet having filaments therein.

Preferably the substrate is sufficiently large to be used as a construction material.

Preferably the tape or sheet has substantially parallel filaments therein. Preferably the barrier material is formed by at least two layers of foamed material with at least one layer of tape or sheet material adhered between the foamed layers.

Preferably the tape or sheet is one direction filament tape or sheet.

Preferably two layers of tape or sheet are provided on the external surface of the substrate, the filaments being aligned to be substantially at right angles in one layer to the direction of the filaments in the other layer.

Alternatively two layers of tape or sheet are provided within the substrate, the filaments in each of the two layers being aligned substantially parallel one to the other.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a crowd barrier utilising a barrier material according to a preferred form of the invention.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a pre-fabricated cubicle using a barrier material according to a preferred form of the invention.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in an underlay including a barrier material according to a preferred form of the invention.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a soft barrier including a barrier material according to a preferred form of the invention.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a cable covering including a barrier material according to a preferred form of the invention.

Preferably the cable cover is an underground cable cover.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a superstructure support utilising a barrier material according to a preferred form of the invention.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in boxing utilising a barrier material according to a preferred form of the invention. In a still further aspect the invention consists in a shield utilising a barrier material according to a preferred form of the invention.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a mattress or bed stabiliser utilising a barrier material according to a preferred form of the invention.

Preferably the substrate is formed of polystyrene material.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figare 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a barrier material according to one preferred form of the invention,

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross section showing formation of a barrier material according to one preferred form of the invention,

Figωre 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a barrier material according to the invention as shown in Figure 2 formed to a curve,

Figure 4 is a view as in Figure 3 showing a curve about an axis at right angles to the axis in Figure 3, and

Figsire 5 is a diagrammatic view of a sheet material according to one preferred form of the invention, and

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a veneer construction according to the invention. BEST MOBE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the preferred form of the invention a barrier material, for example, barrier material 1 in Figure 1 is formed utilising a substrate 2 of foamed material which is a foamed material such as polystyrene or similar material.

In the preferred form of the invention a tape material such as tape is adhered around or through the substrate as will be further described.

Considering Figure 2 the substrate is divided into two parts. Tape or sheet material layers 4 and 5 are provided, preferably a tape or sheet, including substantially parallel filaments therein and having at least one self adhesive side. Where some stretch is desired other tapes or sheets such as tape or sheet with woven, plaited, knitted or similar filaments could be used. Tape or sheet without filaments could also be used to provide elasticity. A suitable material is the material sold as self adhesive filament tape or sheet. The material of this tape or sheet includes thin fibres or filaments made of glass or fibreglass or a similar material which fibres or filaments are aligned substantially in the same direction along the length of the tape or sheet such that the tape or sheet has a high degree of strength. The tape or sheet is substantially thin comprising a thickness of 0.1mm. However, the fibre substrate 1 may be of any selected thickness as may be selected for a particular use. The tape or sheet material is preferably in the form of an elongated strip but may consist of or be cut to any selected length, width or shape as may be desired in use.

Ordinarily the filament tapes 4 and 5 are self adhesive on one side only so that a double layer adhesive 6 is positioned therebetween to adhere the layers 4 and 5. That it to say the layers 4 and 5 are adhered to a substrate part 2a or 2b and the faces of the substrate part which do not carry adhesive are connected by a double sided adhesive layer 6.

If desirable and where necessary the tape or sheet material could have adhesive on both faces.

Additionally, or in the alternative the exterior surfaces of the substrate 2 may be wrapped by one or more single layer 10 or double layers 10 and 11 of the tape or sheet material as above described. Where two layers are provided the filaments preferably run substantially at right angles. In this case as the layers of the tape or sheet material are placed one on top of the other and a non adhesive layer is required to be outwardly facing there is no need for the double sided adhesive layer as one layer can be placed directly onto the other. In Figure 1 part of the layer 11 at the right hand end top and the left hand bottom are shown removed so. that the directions of the filaments 7 are shown.

The direction of curvature in Figure 3 or 4 are about axes at right angles one to the other.

Materials such as shown in Figure 1 or 2 can be cut and bent, for example, into the shape shown in Figure 3 or 4. It is found that when formed to a shape such as in Figure 4 where the thickness of the block in the direction "X" is say 40mm the loss of thickness at "Y" caused by the bending will be only of the order of a millimetre or so and may be as little as 1%.

The construction of Figure 5 shows a substrate 2 with filament layers 10 and 11 placed thereon or wrapped therearound as desired.

Referring to Figure 6 the substrate 2 carries a filament tape or sheet 4 on one side and a veneer layer 15 is positioned on the tape or sheet either through a double sided adhesive or the layer 4 could have adhesive on both faces or by the use of contact adhesive. If desired a stretch layer 16 is provided opposite the veneer layer 15 to allow that face of the substrate 2 to stretch or compress whilst maintaining its integrity.

There are substantial uses of the material.

The barrier material can be used in a range of products. The advantages (not in order ofpreference) are:

1. Lightweight.

2. Strength one way or two ways depending on the number of filament tape or sheet layers provided - 124kg, 25mm wide strip.

3. Impact resistant, the lamination increases impact resistance.

4. Durability.

5. Poorly conductive to electricity and heat. 6. Can be joined and still retain maximum strength.

7. Bendability retaining shape and structural strength and shape.

8. Temperature control due to fibre, plastic, polystyrene, thermal.

9. Buoyant, able to float. 10. Soft.

11. Waterproof.

12. Heat resistant to 102⁰C. It is however not flame resistant.

13. Cold resistant, does not readily freeze.

14. Reduces sound transmission. 15. Minimal loss of thickness on bends.

16. Can be self adhesive on the backing.

17. Can be used in conjunction with wood, wood veneer, linoleum and other flexible sheet products such as vinyl, melamine, Formica and the like. Alternatively non flexible material may be used. 18. Lamination: criss-cross of the tape material increases strength.

19. Criss-cross of the tape material tape increases Puncture resistance.

Uses can be: 1. Crowd and Security Barriers: these are light to move, but can be stabilised by the provision of a concrete base. The product is safe as if the barrier is pushed or force is applied, the people closest to the barrier will have a reduced prospect of injury. The barrier can also be bent into a curve to give strength to the barrier. The barrier is easy to move and can be moved quickly. Typical thickness: 2 ply, 15mm to 25mm and can be used at: concerts, gatherings, and demonstrations, for example.

2. Pre-fabricated Cubicles: they can be used as offices or makeshift office space. A typical thickness of 2 ply of 20mm can be used. Uses: function, election, seminar and exhibitions, for example.

3. Carpet Underlay: underlay can be rolled up with the material all ready secured. The underlay is impact resistant. Typical thickness: 10mm to 15mm maximum. Uses: carpet, mats and vinyl, for example. The underlay may be placed directly onto a concrete floor.

4. Impact Barrier: to protect products or people which can be used to stabilise cargoes, crates, boxes and as a freight wrapping. The material can be put in between large or heavy objects, fragile impact resistant, temperature controlled environment. Can be moulded around objects of odd shapes and sizes. Can be torn in half in one direction. This is useful in situations where people may come into forceful contact with superstructure e.g. ice rinks, skating rinks, luge tracks, basketball courts.

(Note: the multi layer can be cut like a sandwich and then filament tape placed across the other way for flexibility plus the material cannot be readily torn). A typical thickness: 5mm to 30mm / 3 to 30 ply. Uses: furniture removals, shipping,, heavy equipment, between glass or fragile items, cold pack to keep at constant temperature, and luge track barrier, for example.

5. Hammering or Metal Beating to give a shock absorbent barrier, holds steady the work with out it bouncing around, steel on steel, wood on steel, fix the polystyrene to the surface, and then fix the steel-wood to the polystyrene. Typical thickness: 2 ply - 5mm to 15mm. User: jeweller, metal worker, wood hammering, sheet metal and embossing, for example.

6. Truck Siding Including Curtain Siding as Impact and Insulation Barriers: truck sidings would be formed with a single layer of foamed material about 5mm thick and of four plies. Other automotive applications include truck, trains and bus internal undercarriages using 10 - 40mm 2 ply constructions.

7. Cable Covering: such as underground cable covering the material stays straight and will not readily stretch if pulled will not readily deteriorate or break down under ground and is hard to cut through if hit with a spade or the like. Multi cables can be put together by wrapping the material around the cabling and then sealing with the same tape the barrier is made with. The material can be used as covering over cables for trenches that will need to be uncovered, such as temporary cable covers. Polystyrene floats above water, and is substantially water resistant. Typical thickness: 5mm to 10mm. Uses: concerts, electrical cover, disaster areas running cables over bad ground and through water damaged areas, for example.

8. Superstructure supports can be made with lamination of 3 to 5 thickness fixed at one end and bent to another point it will hold a very large span, extremely light and easy to manipulate into the shape that you want. If 6, 8, 10 or so spans are joined a large dome can be built. The super structure can be built over to create a wide range of structures.

Typical thickness: 2 to 20 ply of 20mm to 30mm plus lamination of thin wood between will be possible. Uses: buildings, snow domes, semi permanent bridges, army and disaster area building structures, for example.

9. Long board vacuum system for boat builders. Light weight boards that suck away dust as they sand the hulls can be made, declogging the paper. Typical thickness: 2 ply 20mm with 10mm gap in between will hold the paper with DSA system, or loop and hook connectors, or a claw system.

10. Boxing material for concrete or other cementitious material able to bend or curve to the ground contour.

11. Fishing Wharfs, Marinas and Sea Wharfs. Movable or retractable wharf for hire, in back of container truck, of load at back.

12. The material can make shields such as police shields. These are light to carry, make larger than need be for protection from: petrol booms - it will bounce off the shield, stones, bricks, glass. Use: allows police to defend or deflect persons, stones, wood etc without damage to themselves. Typical thickness: 4 - 6 ply / 5 - 10mm thick. Other uses: vests, hats, arm leg protection, 5mm - 8mm thick material. A soft barrier will cover the person under arrest or to control, crowds without hurting others. Properties: bounce, lighter, force both ways can be asserted without the shield being the weapon.

13. Mattress, bed stabiliser. Uses: For making foam bed mattress stiffer for different size people. For cheap mattress in low income situations, retains heat of the persons body, god for older people and maintains sleeping posture. For animal bedding and is waterproof, can be cleaned quickly and is warm for your pet. Typical thickness: 1, 2, 3, 4 ply / 5mm to 10mm. Layers of the material will increase the stiffness of the mattress.

14. Building applications includes: • external walls, external below ground, up against brick formations

^' • flooring as insulation, under wood floors on top of wood jousts, stops floors from creaking

» internal walls, wood veneer fences which could be about 100mm thick and if desired plaster coated

15. (Wood) veneer and insulation applications: o boats buses, motor homes, caravans floors o walls doors, security fences very lightweight with alarm wires inside

16. Hunting and fishing: mai mai huts, duck shooting blinds lightweight to carry with hunter waterproof, windproof, chill factor

17. Hunting jackets, floating jackets. Made in two parts:

First part over head vest keeping front and back worm with hook and loop connectors to secure closed. Advantage: . this will keep hunter warm impact resistant from butt' of gun on shoulder puncture proof when going through bush, sharp objects waterproof

Thickness foam: 5 mm, 2x layers of tape front and back camo material glued to foam.

Second part goes around the waist with hook and loop connectors to join at front of vest. Advantage:

• this will come in different lengths for different size people will become a floatation device . could be used as a set on wet ground

• camo material glued onto foam

Thickness foam: 5, 10 mm depending on weight of person.

18. Under Ground Air Flow tubes for extreme conditions on water, gas . fuel countries of extreme hot, more for cold. Blowers of warm air through the tubes on main line water pipes. The air is recycled through an outer case and an inner case with the pipe in inside.

19. Horse Floats, Impact, Warmth, which could use 30 - 40mm thick barrier material on each side horse jackets, covers, lambing covers in new bora lambs, extreme cold kennels, on floor and sides, insulation, waterproof, cleans easily. The material could be about 5mm thick with about 4 plies. A typical area would be 400 x 500mm promotional material, signs, motor racing, animal shows, athletics, impact resistant, ^• no damage to cars, animals, humans

. pet beds using 5 - 10mm thick four ply material sports cushions, 300 x 400 square, promo material printer, warm, dry soft padding o furnisher cushions, stops padding from sagging when foam breaks down, stabilises cushions carry stretcher, army disaster areas 5

20. Furniture Cushioning around frames replacing foam rubber which compresses under circumferential stress

21. Other applications:

10 ^' . .4mm to .6mm cardboard, plaster and painting surface

100% polyester, hunting vest polar fleece wood veneer double sided adhesive tape process glue on wood veneer, add tape filament stick to wood veneer ■ 15 ^{■ ■}

22. Large sheets of the material (say lOOOnim x 3000m) can be used to stabilise earth movement such as can occur on hillsides. These blocks could also be used as walls or fences. .

20 23. Other applications could include bob sled tracks and sleds, boat building moulds, lounge furniture, and boat sets.

Thus it can be seen that a barrier material is provided which is able to be used in a wide range of situations particularly as a construction material, particularly though not limited to temporary 25 and lightweight constructions. This is advantageous. .

In the preferred form of the invention the outer circumference of a sheet of barrier material retains its integrity due to the strength of the filaments and does not significantly stretch. The inner circumference compresses and even folds slightly while the substrate near the inner circumference compresses. Thus the thickness of the product is not compromised at the bend. The converse is also correct. Where a material which is intended to retain its integrity is on an inner circumference bend, an elasticised version of tape is used on the outer circumference. The substrate is expanded along the outer circumference.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A barrier material comprising a substrate of a foamed material, the substrate having thereon, therein or both at least one layer of tape or sheet material adhered in or to the substrate, the tape or sheet having filaments therein.

2. A barrier material as^' claimed in claim 1 wherein the substrate is sufficiently large to be used as a construction material.

3. A barrier material as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the tape or sheet has substantially parallel filaments therein.

^' 4. A barrier material as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the barrier material is formed by at least two layers of foamed material with at least one layer of tape or sheet material adhered between the foamed layers.

5. A barrier material as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tape or sheet is one direction filament tape or sheet.

6. A barrier material as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein two layers of tape or sheet are provided on the external surface of the substrate, the filaments being aligned to be substantially at right angles in one layer to the direction of the filaments in the other layer.

7. A barrier material as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein two layers of tape or sheet are provided within the substrate, the filaments in each of the two layers being aligned substantially parallel one to the other.

8. A substrate is formed of polystyrene material.

9. A crowd barrier utilising a barrier material according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A pre-fabricated cubicle using a barrier material according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. An underlay including a barrier material according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A soft barrier including a barrier material according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. A cable covering including a barrier material according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

14. A cable covering as claimed in claim 13 wherein the cable cover is an underground cable cover.

15. A superstructure support utilising a barrier material according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

16. Boxing utilising a barrier material according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

17. A shield utilising a barrier material according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

18. A mattress or bed stabiliser utilising a barrier material according to any one of claims 1 to 8.