FR3092514A1 - SELF-CUTTING FILM - Google Patents

Abstract

Multilayer film (1) comprising several superimposed layers, among which an outer layer of adhesive material (2) comprising a free surface (2a) intended to come into direct contact with a surface of an element to be covered, the film also comprising a wire cutting (3), characterized in that the cutting wire (3) is disposed on the free surface (2a) of the outer layer of adhesive material (2). Figure for the abstract: figure 1

Description

SELF-CUTTING FILM

The invention relates to a self-cutting film, in particular an anti-fouling film.

To cover the surface of an element of complex shape with a protective film, for example to cover the hull of a boat with an anti-fouling film (antifouling in English), several strips of film are generally used 'one arranges the ones compared to the others in order to cover in the end all the desired surface.

Traditionally, such films are multilayered and include at least one adhesive outer layer serving to fix the film to the element to be covered.

Due to the complexity of the surface to be covered, it is difficult to ensure the connections between the strips, in order to avoid, among other things, any overlapping of two strips, which would have the consequence of creating an unnecessary extra thickness and detrimental to the proper functioning. of the element.

In addition, the use of sharp objects is prohibited, due to the risk of damaging the surface of the element to be covered.

This is why film solutions with integrated cutting wire have been created, such as those described in WO 2017-182899-A1.

These solutions are complex and expensive, and require delicate handling.

Therefore, improvements are possible.

The object of the invention is to provide a film to cover the surface of an element. The film is multilayer and comprises at least one outer layer of adhesive material comprising a free surface intended to fix the film to the surface to be covered. The film also includes an integrated cutting wire disposed on the free surface of the outer layer of adhesive material.

Once the film is applied to the surface to be covered and it adheres to this surface, a pull on the wire allows the film to be cut cleanly and without the aid of any sharp object, in order to be able to remove it from the surface. element a desired part of the film, and to leave only another desired part there.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to integrate the cutting wire on the film at any time, such as for example from the manufacture of the film, or later, until just before the application of the film on the surface of the element to be covered. Alternatively, thanks to the invention, it is possible to apply the cutting wire directly to the surface of the element to be covered, before laying the film.

In all cases, after application of the film to the surface of the element to be covered, all or part of the wire is trapped between the free surface of the outer layer of adhesive material and the surface to be covered.

According to other aspects of the invention which are advantageous but not mandatory, such a film may incorporate one or more of the following characteristics:

- it comprises another outer layer, opposite in the direction of the thickness of the film to the outer layer of adhesive material, and intended to be in contact with the environment in which the element to be covered is located, said other outer layer being made of an antifouling material;

- the cutting wire is of cylindrical section and the diameter of the cylinder is between 0.05mm and 5mm, and preferably between 0.1mm and 0.3mm;

- the cutting wire is of rectangular section, and one of the larger sides of the rectangle is in contact with the free surface of the outer layer of adhesive material;

- the cutting wire comprises at least one tongue which extends beyond the outer layer of adhesive material, over a sufficient length to be able to be gripped by the fingers of a person or by a suitable object or by an element of 'a machine;

- it includes an additional temporary protective layer which is temporarily placed on the outer layer of adhesive material and above the cutting wire, the temporary layer being removed before the film is placed on the element to be covered;

- the cutting wire is made of a natural material such as cotton, linen or carbon, and/or a synthetic material such as a polyamide, nylon or Kevlar;

- the cutting wire is placed beforehand on the surface of the element to be covered.

• Fig. 1 est une vue en section partielle d’un premier mode de réalisation d’un film selon l’invention, suivant son épaisseur;
• Fig. 2 est une vue en section partielle d’un deuxième mode de réalisation d’un film selon l’invention, suivant son épaisseur;
• Fig. 3 est une vue en élévation « de dessous » d’un troisième mode de réalisation d’un film selon l’invention ;
• Fig. 4 est une en élévation « de dessus » du troisième mode de réalisation de la Fig. 3.

The invention will now be explained with the aid of the appended drawings, by way of example, without any restriction as to the object of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

• Fig. 1 is a view in partial section of a first embodiment of a film according to the invention, along its thickness;
• Fig. 2 is a view in partial section of a second embodiment of a film according to the invention, along its thickness;
• Fig. 3 is a "bottom" elevational view of a third embodiment of a film according to the invention;
• Fig. 4 is a "top" elevation of the third embodiment of FIG. 3.

Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a film 1 comprising several superposed layers, including an outer layer of adhesive material 2. The outer layer of adhesive material 2 comprises a surface in contact with another layer 8, and a free surface 2a which is intended to come into direct contact with a surface of an element to be covered by means of the film 1.

The film comprises another outer layer 4, opposite in the direction of the thickness of the film to the outer layer of adhesive material 2, and intended to be in contact with the environment in which the element to be covered is located.

The film 1 comprises, between the two outer layers 2, 4, one or more other layers 5, 6, 7, 8 each of which fulfills a precise function, such as for example: mechanical reinforcement, paint, substrate, binder, protection.

A cutting wire 3 is arranged on the free surface 2a of the outer layer of adhesive material 2 of the film 1.

The cutting wire 3 is held on the film 1 thanks to the adhesive material.

In one embodiment, the cutting wire 3 is of cylindrical section. In this case, the diameter of the cylinder is preferably between 0.05 mm and 5 mm, and preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.

In another embodiment, not illustrated, the cutting wire is of rectangular section. Advantageously, one of the longer sides of the rectangle is in contact with the free surface 2a of the outer layer of adhesive material. Preferably, each side of the rectangle has a dimension between 0.050 mm and 20 mm. In a particular case, the rectangle is a square.

In another embodiment, the cutting wire 3 is in the form of a flexible strip.

The cutting wire 3 is made of a material that is more resistant to traction than that or those constituting the film 1.

In addition, the cutting wire has good elastic resistance to elongation, in order to avoid or limit as much as possible its elongation during its extraction.

Thanks to the mechanical properties of the wire, it is possible to ensure a clean cut of the film.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a cutting wire 3 is initially covered with adhesive material, which makes it sticky. First, the wire is placed directly on the item to be covered, so that the adhesive material keeps the wire in position on the item. In a second step, the film 1 is placed on the object to be covered, above the cutting wire, the wire remaining in the previously established position.

According to the invention, it is possible to produce the cutting wire in different materials, according to the specific needs of each application.

For example, the cutting wire can be made from a natural material such as linen, cotton or carbon.

Alternatively, the cutting wire is made of metallic material, for example stainless steel.

Alternatively, the cutting wire is made of synthetic material such as a polyamide, nylon, or Kevlar, for example in the form of fibers.

Furthermore, the cutting thread is made of a single material or of a mixture of several materials, for example a mixture of Kevlar and nylon.

Once the film 1 has been applied to the surface of the element to be covered, traction of the cutting wire 3, at the level of one of its ends and in a direction forming with the surface of the film or of the surface covered with the element, an angle between 0° and 45°, makes it possible to tear the film 1 at the precise location where the cutting wire 3 has been placed.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cutting wire 3 comprises at least one tab 3a which extends beyond the outer layer of adhesive material, over a sufficient length to be able to be grasped by the fingers of a person, by an adapted object or part of a machine. In this case, the tongue 3a protrudes from the film by a length of between a few millimeters and a few centimeters.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to integrate the cutting wire on the film at any time, such as for example from the manufacture of the film, or later, until just before the application of the film on the surface of the element to be covered.

Sometimes, we do not know in advance the desired cutting profile. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to integrate the cutting wire into the film, by hand or by means of a suitable tool or part of a machine, by applying the wire to the free surface 2a of the outer layer 2 of the film at the precise desired cutting location so that the wire draws the desired cutting shape. The wire can run straight or meandering, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and Figs. 4, the cutting wire 3 may include two tabs 3a. Alternatively, the cutting wire 3 comprises a single tab.

In another embodiment of the invention, the film comprises at least two cutting threads. In the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 3 and Figs. 4, the film includes two cutting wires.

Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, the elements identical to those of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 previously described bearing the same references. This second mode differs from the first embodiment of FIG. 1 in that an additional temporary protective layer 9 is temporarily placed on the outer layer of adhesive material 2 and above the cutting wire 3. This temporary protective layer 9 makes it possible to protect the outer layer of adhesive material 2 as well as the cutting wire 3 until the application of the film 1 on the surface of the element to be covered. This temporary protective layer 9 makes it possible, for example, to prevent dust or water from polluting the outer layer of adhesive material 2 which must remain perfectly clean until the application of the film. This temporary protective layer 9 also makes it possible to be able to temporarily store the film in the form of a roll, while preserving the adhesive.

The temporary layer 9 is removed from the film just before laying the film on the element to be covered.

Fig. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention, by a top view of the film. The tongues 3a of the two cutting threads 3 extend beyond the outer layer 4 of the film.

Fig. 4 illustrates the third embodiment of the invention, by a bottom view of the film. The tabs 3a of the two cutting threads 3 extend beyond the outer layer of adhesive material 2 of the film.

In a preferred mode of the invention, the film 1 is an antifouling film and is used, for example, to cover the hull of a boat or a water retention basin for fish farming. In this case, the outer layer 4, intended to be in contact with air and fresh water or sea water, is designed to prevent the attachment of fauna and flora to the hull of the boat. or the walls of the pool.

1 movie

2 outer layer of adhesive material

2a free area

3 cutting wire

3a tab

4 outer layer

5, 6, 7, 8 intermediate layers

9 temporary layer of protection

Claims (8)

Multilayer film (1) comprising several superimposed layers, among which an outer layer of adhesive material (2) comprising a free surface (2a) intended to come into direct contact with a surface of an element to be covered, the film also comprising a wire cutting (3), characterized in that the cutting wire (3) is arranged on the free surface (2a) of the outer layer of adhesive material (2). Film (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises another outer layer (4) opposite in the direction of the thickness of the film to the outer layer of adhesive material (2), and intended to be in contact with the environment in which the element to be covered is located, said other outer layer (4) being made of an anti-fouling material. Film (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting wire (3) has a cylindrical section and the diameter of the cylinder is between 0.05 mm and 5 mm, and preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. Film (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutting wire (3) is of rectangular section, and one of the longest sides of the rectangle is in contact with the free surface (2a) of the outer layer of adhesive material. Film (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting wire (3) comprises at least one tab (3a) which extends beyond the outer layer of adhesive material (2), over a length sufficient to be gripped by a person's fingers or by a suitable object or by a component of a machine. Film (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an additional temporary protective layer (9) which is temporarily placed on the outer layer of adhesive material (2) and over the cutting wire (3 ), the provisional layer (9) being removed before placing the film on the element to be covered. Film (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting wire (3) is made of a natural material such as cotton, linen or carbon, and / or of a synthetic material such as a polyamide, nylon, or kevlar. Film (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting wire is arranged beforehand on the surface of the element to be covered.