FR3105007A1 - Floating aquatic swimming device made mainly from agglomerated natural cork - Google Patents

Abstract

Floating aquatic swimming device made mainly from agglomerated natural cork with the ambition of replacing traditional accessories made of plastic foams from petrochemicals. The object of the innovation is to offer a credible alternative to all-plastic, the comfort of which for the user should as far as possible be equivalent or even better. The request relates to the protection of the manufacturing methodology developed to obtain agglomerated cork accessories with a density equivalent to a one-piece natural cork (of the order of 180 kg / m3), resistant to the physico-chemical constraints of swimming pool water ( chlorine, salt) and environmental (temperature variation, UV, friction, shocks). The application is also directed to the protection of the specific shapes developed for the flap board and the pull-buoy for which the manufacturing methodology described herein is fully applicable.

Description

Floating aquatic swimming device made mainly from agglomerated natural cork

When swimming in private, collective or open water swimming pools, swimmers and swimming coaches use accessories that serve as a buoyancy aid to target the parts of the body requiring specific muscle development.

Iconic accessories are kickboards used for lower body strength and pull buoys used for upper body.

The accessories currently available on the market exist in several forms but all share the common point of a manufacturing carried out mainly on the basis of plastic foams from petrochemicals.

Plastic foams experienced significant growth in the ^20th century based on an all-petroleum industry. They have the advantage of combining low implementation costs and low densities (lightness of the final product).

Accessories used in indoor and outdoor swimming pools must withstand resistance to water chemistry (chlorine, salts) and air conditions such as solar radiation (UVs in particular) and seasonal temperature variations.

Under these difficult environmental conditions, current plastic foam materials have the disadvantage of degrading quickly. They harden, break and disintegrate into micro plastic particles which are partly disseminated in the environment (air/water) and cause direct contamination of fauna and flora.

Recycling these plastic foams is very difficult and many accessories have a lifespan of a few months and end up in household waste where they will be incinerated in the best case for lack of an adequate recovery sector/viable technical solution.

In repeated contact with water, plastic foam promotes the development of mold, making regular disinfection with highly chlorinated products necessary.

Presentation of the innovation:

Based on this observation, the purpose of the innovation is to offer a credible alternative to all-plastic (composition of at least 70% natural cork) whose comfort for the user must, as far as possible, be equivalent or even better.

: The innovation presented is based on a main structure made of natural cork granules with an average grain size between 1 and 3mm. They are selected then compacted/agglomerated by gluing so as to reach an average density of between 120 and 180 kg/m3. This base material forms the core (1) of the final product.

The chosen density is a compromise between two antagonistic notions, namely the need to lighten the structure in order to increase the buoyancy of the accessory and, on the other hand, to ensure mechanical cohesion of the assembly over time.

: When it is necessary to further reduce the density in order to obtain increased buoyancy and a lower mass of the accessory, a variant consists in creating one or more recesses in the cork core. This cork core is then obtained by gluing the 2 hollowed-out elementary pieces (1A) and (1B). This technique gives rise to the enclosed gaseous volume (6) of [Fig 2]. Apart from this specificity where the variant of the core (1) of [Fig 1] is broken down into 2 elementary hollowed and glued pieces (1A) and (1B) of [Fig 2], the other markers of this [Fig 2 ] are identical in all respects to those of [Fig 1].

Although cork is naturally rot-proof, which makes its use in an aquatic environment interesting, in this level of density retained, it has in its weakly compacted structure pores uniformly distributed within it and partly opening on the surface. In this state, the cork cannot be used directly in water because the interstices become waterlogged.

The innovation presented is therefore also based on the production and then the implementation of a pore filler consisting of a mixture of equal proportions of cork flour (particle size less than 5/10 of a mm) with a similar glue-type binder to that used for the agglomeration of the granules of the core (1) of the . The use of this binder ensures optimal adhesion of the granules/powder assembly so that once the pores are blocked by this preparation, a continuous homogeneous membrane (2) of [Fig 1] is obtained on the surface of the core ( 1). The thickness of this layer is between 1 and 3mm.

A laser type marking (3) of the is affixed just after this primary layer/membrane so as to be protected, visible and above all not to alter the final waterproofing coating. The brand logo, serial number and any personalization text are implemented at this stage.

In order to ensure lasting sealing as well as mechanical and chemical resistance over time, a waterproof resin coating (4) of the , is applied to the continuous homogeneous membrane (2) of [Fig 1] which serves as a preparation/attachment primer. The resin applied in single or multi-layer forms a homogeneous dry film of minimum thickness 800μm. This one-component matte or glossy resin does not deteriorate in the presence of chlorine, salts, water. It is UV resistant and remains transparent over time (no yellowing) allowing the natural and noble appearance of cork to be preserved. It adheres harmoniously to the cork and remains flexible after drying. Its ductility allows it to absorb shocks/aggressions typical of a classic use of swimming accessories (fall and impact on the ground, stacking, repeated friction). It also maintains its mechanical characteristics at temperatures between -30°C and +90°C.

In order to enhance contact with the skin, a thin additional layer of beeswax (5) from the is applied by polishing. Besides being natural, beeswax inherently exhibits waterproofing properties. It is also commonly used in cosmetics for its non-allergenic properties.

In the density range chosen for the core and the implementation of the coating steps, the final product reaches an average density between 180 and 200 kg/m3. This density is comparable to that of a non-agglomerated natural cork product which, by definition, is much more expensive and difficult to work with to obtain single-piece pieces of large sizes and/or high thicknesses.

Innovation also applies to the shapes of the accessories presented in for the kickboard and in [Fig 4] for the pull-buoy. The manufacture of these products is based on the application of the manufacturing methodology described above.

The shapes of these accessories are optimized from an ergonomics, buoyancy and hydrodynamics point of view (particularly the case of the projecting edge (12) of the ).

• Les dimensions et proportions du contour extérieur en vue de dessus (7) de la [Fig 3],
• les dimensions et proportions du contour extérieur en vue de profil (8) de la [Fig 3],
• la vue isométrique globale (9) de la [Fig 3].

The original shape of the beater board is characterized by:

• The dimensions and proportions of the outer contour in plan view (7) of [Fig 3],
• the dimensions and proportions of the outer contour in profile view (8) of [Fig 3],
• the overall isometric view (9) of [Fig 3].

• Les dimensions et proportions du contour extérieur en vue de dessus (10) de la [Fig 4],
• les dimensions et proportions de l’arrête saillante (12) de la [Fig 4],
• la vue isométrique globale (11) de la [Fig 4].

The original shape of the pull-buoy is characterized by:

• The dimensions and proportions of the outer contour in plan view (10) of [Fig 4],
• the dimensions and proportions of the projecting edge (12) of [Fig 4],
• the overall isometric view (11) of [Fig 4].

In order to improve readability, the laser marking is located in dedicated reserved areas. The brand logo is affixed in area (13) of the and [Fig 4]. The model serial number is affixed in area (14) of [Fig 3] and [Fig 4]. Additional personalization of the name, sign type is provided in area (15) of [Fig 3] and [Fig 4].

The shapes of these accessories can evolve in their dimensions (up to + or - 50%) while retaining their original proportion so as to keep a coherent visual identity while adapting to the morphology of men and women ranging from child to adult.

The innovation also relates to the manufacturing methodology described above which is applicable/transposable to other types of aquatic swimming accessories subject to the same constraints of use (buoyancy, physical chemistry of the environment, durability, ergonomics, direct contact with the user's skin, etc.).

Claims (9)

Floating aquatic swimming device characterized by the fact that it comprises at least 70% agglomerated natural cork Floating aquatic swimming device according to Claim 1, characterized in that it consists of a core made up of agglomerated cork with a grain size of 1 to 3 mm and whose compaction density is between 120 and 180 kg/m3. Floating aquatic swimming device according to Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the residual pores after compacting of the cork granules of the core are plugged by applying a mixture in equal proportions of glue and cork flour with a particle size of less than 0.5mm. After drying, this continuous homogeneous membrane with a thickness of between 1 and 3mm serves as a bonding primer for the waterproofing resin. Floating aquatic swimming device according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a laser marking (3) is produced in reserved zones (13), (14) and (15). Floating aquatic swimming device according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a resin coating is present on the entire surface of the device above the laser marking. With a minimum uniform thickness of 800 µm, this coating guarantees the lasting tightness of the assembly by protecting it from aggressive agents such as chlorine, salts, water, UV, shocks and temperatures ranging from -30 to +90°C. Matte or shiny transparent finish, Floating aquatic swimming device according to Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the final coating applied to the entire surface of the device has a minimum uniform thickness of 50 µm of natural beeswax used for its non-allergenic properties and that it constitutes an additional waterproofing barrier for the whole. Floating aquatic swimming device according to Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the final density of the product is between 180 and 200 kg/m3. Density obtained if necessary by creating additional recesses in the core. Method of manufacturing an aquatic swimming device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

• Step 1: Manufacture of the cork core core made up of agglomerated cork with a grain size of 1 to 3mm and whose compaction density is between 120 and 180kg/m3. When it is necessary to further reduce the density in order to obtain increased buoyancy and a lower mass of the accessory, a variant consists in creating one or more recesses in the cork core. This cork core is then obtained by gluing hollowed-out elementary pieces
• Stage 2: Closing of the residual pores of the core by applying a mixture of equal proportions of glue (similar to that used for the agglomeration of the granules of the core) and cork flour with a particle size of less than 0.5mm.
• Step 3: Drying/surfacing of the pore filler applied so as to form a continuous homogeneous membrane on the surface of the core, with a thickness of between 1 and 3mm, which serves as a bonding primer for the sealing resin.
• Step 4: Laser marking carried out in the reserved areas provided for this purpose.
• Step 5: Application over the entire surface of a uniform coating of at least 800µm of transparent sealing resin with a matte or glossy finish, allowing the natural and noble appearance of the cork to be preserved while guaranteeing the durability of the whole resistant to aggressive agents such as chlorine, salts, water, UV and temperatures ranging from -30 to +90°C. Coating applied in single or multi-layer).
• Step 6: Application of a final coating on the entire surface of the device with a minimum uniform thickness of 50µm of natural beeswax used for its non-allergenic properties. This wax constitutes an additional waterproofing barrier for the assembly.

Floating aquatic swimming device according to Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the original shapes of the kickboard and of the pull-buoy are optimized from the point of view of ergonomics, buoyancy and hydrodynamics. While remaining similar to the original proportions (visual signature), these 2 devices can evolve in their dimensions by + or – 50% compared to those of references (7) and (8) for the beater board as well as (10) and (12) for the pull-buoy. This claim therefore relates to the possibility of adapting the kickboard and the pull-buoy to the morphology of men and women ranging from children to adults.