GB2355231A

GB2355231A - Patterning Artex plaster

Info

Publication number: GB2355231A
Application number: GB0024376A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Addison Butler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-05
Filing date: 2000-10-05
Publication date: 2001-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-05
Also published as: GB2355231B; GB0024376D0

Abstract

Artex (RTM) plaster is patterned (Fig 2) by masking regions of the ceiling or wall with adhesive tape prior to application of the wet plaster (eg by spraying) and/or cutting a pattern in the hardened plaster using eg a motorised rotary cutting tool (Fig 6). The plaster may be applied in layers of different colours. The tool may comprise a roller 101 with teeth 101a for cutting parallel grooves.

Description

1 2355231 D"ROVEAMNTS IN OR RELATING TO DECORATING This invention relates

to improvements in or relating to decorating and is more particularly concerned with the production of decorative finishes using e.g a material 6z:-1-M) such as Artetplaster.

The use of a white plaster material such as Artex plaster in the decorative finishing of walls and ceilings is well known, but it is believed that the versatility of such materials has not been fully recogriised and that decorative effects can be accomplished using such materials that hitherto may not have been thought possible. Normally, Artex plaster is applied onto walls or ceilings using a roller or brush and a decorative finish is applied whilst the material is still wet using a suitable texturing instrument such as a sponge or comb or the like. It tends to be disadvantageous that only a relatively few number of textured decorative patterns may be produced using Artex plaster in this way. Once again, such patterns are invariably fairly random, owing to the nature of the application, and the Applicant believes that the use of Artex plaster or the like in this way is unnecessarily restrictive.

Often, embossed wallpapers are used to provide a wall or a ceiling with a predetermined uniform decorative textured finish rather than using an Artex plaster but there tend to be disadvantages in using wallpapers in this way. Firstly, using a wallpaper will necessarily mean that there are joins in the finish which may be unsightly or at least imperfect and which may detract from the overall effect of the uniform-patterned textured surface. Additionally, the application of wallpaper may be too time consuming and may involve an unnecessary amount of surface preparation of 2 the walls and ceilings that would not normally be required when using Artex plaster. Still further, the precise nature of the decorative embossed finish provided by applying a wallpaper or alternatively using Artex plaster and applying a decorative finish in wet form may still not provide the desired type of finish in some instances, and in particular where clearly or sharply defined edges to the textured relief surface (7-7 (-0 are required. Often embossed wallpapers (for example textured vinyl or AnaglyptaL papers) and Artex plaster finished surfaces will also require painting in order to obtain the required coloured finish, thus necessitating a second surface finishing operation. It is also to be noted that once the textured Artex plastered surfaces have hardened and paint has been applied to obtain the required colour it may then be exceedingly difficult to remove the Artex plaster if required at a later date because of how hard the painted Artex surface will be. In some instances, this may also be disadvantageous, obviously where a coloured Artex plaster finish is required which may need to be removed at a later date, for example. to be replaced by an alternative finish to the choice of the user.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned, or other disadvantages associated with the decorative finishing of, for example, walls or ceilings and/or to provide an improved surface decoration.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of decorating a surface such as a wall or ceiling of a house, said method comprising applying an Artex plaster or the like to said surface in a wet form, allowing said Artex plaster or the like to harden and subsequently cutting or forming a pattern or design into the hardened surface of the Artex plaster or the like.

3 Preferably, said method involves applying the Artex plaster or the like onto the surface to be decorated by means of a spray applicator. The Artex plaster material may be diluted from its normal mix with about 10% water for spray application.

Said method may involve applying one or more coats of Artex plaster material or the like to said surface, which coats are preferably in the range 1/16 to 1/10 of an inch thick (. 16cm to.25cm) and, preferably, of uniform thickness. Where more than one coat of Artex material or the like is applied to the surface the or each coat is allowed to harden before application of the next coat.

Where more than one coat of Artex plaster material or the like is applied as aforesaid a pattern or design may be cut or formed into one or more of said coats and said coats may be, advantageously, of a different colour in order to provide a two or more colour appearance when finished.

Said method may additionally, or alternatively, involve applying adhesive tape or adhesive shapes or the like onto the surface to be decorated before applying a coat of Artex plaster material or the like, said tape or shapes being removed from the surface when said coat has hardened in order to provide recessed areas. It is possible where more than one coat of Artex plaster material or the like is applied that adhesive tape is applied to the surface of one of the coats prior to application of a second coat of such material.

4 It is possible that the method may involve a decorative pattern or design being drawn or sketched out on the hardened Artex plaster material or the like prior to cutting or forming or some other guide means (such as an optical guide means) may be employed for cutting or forming the finished design into the hardened material. Said method may involve cutting a pattern into the hardened material by the use of a special tool, preferably a motorised tool. Said tool may allow a number of parallel grooves or lines to be formed into the hardened material at any one time, for example, by providing a motorised roller having a plurality of teeth or rings or grooves to cut the appropriate shape into the hardened material. Such a tool would necessarily involve regulating the depth of cut into the material and any alternative means of doing this may be provided. Additionally, said tool may be arranged to be set to vary the depth of cut into the hardened material.

Further, according to the present invention there is provided a decorated surface, for example, a wall or ceiling, when produced by the method in the preceding Statement of Invention at the bottom of page 2 of this specification or including one or more coats of Artex plaster material or the like having a shape or decorative pattern cut or formed into the hardened surface of said Artex plaster material or the like,

Further according to the present invention there is provided a dwelling including one or more such decorated surfaces as defined in the immediately preceding paragraph such as walls or ceilings.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a tooL preferably a motorised tool, including means adapted to simultaneously cut a plurality of (preferably parallel) grooves or other formations into a hardened surface of Artex plaster material or the like, said tool, preferably having a roller arranged to rotate about its own axis, said roller carrying said cutting formations.

Where said roller is motorised, preferably the motor is located within the roller. Said tool may include a handle including an electrical switch means connected to two elongate support members each supporting a respective end of said roller.

Said tool may include one or more selectable rollers having cutting teeth or edges of io different depth or cutting patterns.

Many advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

Embodiments of a method of decorating using Artex plaster or the like and an apparatus for use in the method, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following accompanying much simplified diagramatic drawings in which:- FIGURE I shows a shape or logo produced in Artex plaster by a method in accordance with the present invention; FIGURES 2 to 4 show different designs or patterns that can be produced by the method of the present invention; 6 FIGURE 5 shows an alternative shape that could be produced by the method of the present invention, and FIGURE 6 shows apparatus in the form of a motorised tool that may be used in the 5 method of the present invention.

Referring to FIGURES I to 5 of the drawings, all the shapes or patterns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 have been produced on a wall or ceiling or other suitable surface to be decorated using an Artex plaster. Such shapes or patterns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are merely examples of design that may be produced using the innovative decorating method of the present invention.

In order to produce said shapes or patterns, first of all Artex plaster or the like is applied to the flat surface to be decorated whilst still in a wet form and the application may be made by any suitable method or apparatus but, preferably, the Artex material is sprayed onto the surface to be decorated by a suitable spray applicator (not shown). However, even though the Artex plaster could be applied by any other suitable method it is envisaged that an even, uniform coat of Artex plaster material or the like will be applied to the surface to be decorated and the thickness of the uniform coating will usually be about Ille or 1/1& of an inch. It is envisaged for spray application that the usual Artex plaster mix (Artex plaster can be purchased in a ready mixed form or powder form ready to be mixed with water) will be diluted with about 10% of water for spray application. It is believed that applying an Artex plaster through a spray applicator is a new concept in itself which may be highly advantageous and time effective.

7 Artex plaster is normally available only in one colour (i.e. white) and if the decorated surface is to be coloured it is normally painted. However, it is envisaged in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention that the Artex plaster material itself will be ready-coloured thus, advantageously, obviating the need for a secondary decorative process to be involved (i.e. painting of the hardened Artex plaster). Thus, this would avoid unnecessary time in finishing the decorating process. It is envisaged that the shapes or decorative patterns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 will be produced either- 1) by waiting for the Artex plaster material to set hard and cutting or carving the shape into the hardened material by a suitable cutting tool, 2) and/or by using suitable adhesive tapes which are applied to the surface to be decorated in an appropriate manner prior to application of the Artex plaster material and removing said tapes to leave recessed areas where the tapes were adhered to the surface.

Additionally, it is possible that a combination of both processes may be used in order to achieve the desired decorative affect.

It has been realised by the Applicant that Artex plaster material is an extremely versatile material to use when hardened. It can be cut and shaped or carved and sanded in a manner similar to shaping wood and is extremely resilient and maintains its integrity owing to its crystalline structure. Thus, quite sharply defined edges may 8 be provided by cutting or carving into the hardened Artex material. Additionally, or alternatively, a hardened straight edge line finish may be produced by, having once applied suitable adhesive tape (not shown) onto the surface to be decorated prior to the application of the Artex plaster, simply removing the tape by pulling it away from the surface to be decorated leaving a raised sharply defined line surface in the hardened Artex plaster, for example, indicated by the line edges 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b, 4c in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Recessed areas are denoted by reference numerals Ir, 2r, 3r, 4r, 5r in FIGURES I to 5 respectively although these could, of course, alternatively be provided as raised areas.

In order to provide a chosen repeat pattern over a surface, it is envisaged that the required design may be drawn out onto the hardened surface of the Artex plaster material prior to appropriate cutting with a cutting too], although this may not necessarily always be done.

It should be appreciated that the following method of using Artex plaster in such a decorating environment is extremely versatile and lends itself to all types of patterns and surface decorations hitherto unachievable as yet by any suitable means. The actual surface decoration produced and the defined hard edges mean that a unique appearance can be provided on the surface to be decorated having a quality unique to the method of production.

All types of decorative surfaces could be produced, such a wood panelling (see FIGURE 3 or brick effect see FIGURE 4) in an exciting new way.

9 It is envisaged that the time taken to produce such effects using Artex plaster as opposed to applying an embossed wallpaper and surface finishing may be about half the time more particularly where suitable adhesive tapes are used in the production of the surface decoration. It is envisaged that even more time may be saved where a special cutting tool is used to cut into the surface of the Artex material to produce the design pattern.

Still further, it is to be appreciated that Artex plaster material can be used, in embodiments of the present invention as a "build up" material, in that several coats or applications of Artex material could be applied to the surface for example, by spraying. Thus it is possible for all sorts of multicoloured designs to be produced by cutting through one or more layers of the built up Artex plaster material (where the Artex plaster material is differently coloured for each layer of the build up). Thus, part of one layer of the Artex material can be cut away to expose the layer underneath whilst in other areas both layers may be cut away in order to provide a unique visual surface decoration.

The tools involved to cut the hardened Artex material may be many and varied and preferably include some form of depth cutting control in order to gauge the depth of cutting into the layers of material.

One such motorised cutting tool 100 is shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 6. This motorised cutting tool may be mains or battery (mains rechargeable) and includes a generally cylindrical roller 101 rotatable on its own axis 102 by a suitable motor (not shown), preferably, located within the cylindrical roller 101. The roller 101 is provided with any chosen configuration of cutting teeth or surfaces 101 a or cutting rings that will be capable of producing the desired cutting pattern in the hardened Artex material on appropriate rotation of the cylindrical roller by the motor (not shown) whilst said roller is held in contact with said hardened material.

It is envisaged that the roller 10 1 will be mounted on suitable angled elongate support members 103, 104, which members enter handle 105 on which is located an appropriate on/off switch or other switch control means 106 (for switching on and off the electrical motor located in the cylindrical roller 102). Thus support members 103, 104 will also carry electrical connection to the electrical motor. In an alternative design it is possible that only one such support member (103, 104) is provided.

It should readily be envisaged how the motorised cutting tool 100 could be used to cut repeat patterns into the hardened Artex material merely by rolling the roller up and down the surface to be decorated or indeed in any other appropriate direction according to the pattern to be produced.

The Applicant believes that a large number of aesthetic surface decorative finishes could be produced using cutting tools in the hardened Artex material (whether or not one or more layers of Artex have been applied (for example by spray applicator) and / or by use of various adhesive tapes which may themselves include cut out shapes or raised surfaces (not shown).

Advantageously, as previously explained, colouring the Artex material prior to 25 application means that a secondary process of painting the Artex material itself may 11 not be necessary and that in turn means that, although the final decorated surface is hard and has substantial integrity, it may be readily easily removed, if desired simply by the application of water. Once again, if the decorated surface does happen to receive damage it may be readily repaired by using the same Artex material and such is the nature of the material that this can be done quickly and conveniently without cracking or other degredation of the material. Alternatively, where it is intended that the decorated surface is to be permanent it may be painted if desired and it should readily be envisaged how a two colour or three colour finish can be provided where there has been a build up of Artex layers on the surface in the manner as afore described.

Although the present invention has been utilised with reference to a surface to be decorated such as a wall or ceiling of a house the implications of the present invention may be wider ranging and may be applicable to any situation where a surface or indeed object is to be produced by cutting or carving, sanding or shaping.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced by any equivalent or generic term. The phrase' Artex plaster or the like' is meant to be a general phrase covering any material which is suitable for the application concerned, which material can be cut when hardened without flaking or cracking. Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or function relating to the decorating method might be individually patentably inventive and that any cutting or shaping tools or parts thereof for use in the decorating method may also be individually patentably inventive. Of particular importance is the use of ready- 12 coloured Artex plaster material or the like and the use of Artex as a build-up material and/or treatment in a hardened form. The singular may include the plural and vice versa. Additionally, any range mentioned herein of any variable or parameter shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub range within that range or of any particular value of the variable or parameter arranged within, or at an end of, the range or sub range.

Artex plaster (white or decorative plaster) includes mainly chalk (calcium carbonate), some lime or calcium compound or gypsum (which is a hydrated calcium sulphate), mica, minerals and filler materials, organic binders and impurities; it has the characteristic that it does not crack or shrink and can be sanded and cut. Although Artex material has been described in this specification as a plaster, it is generally paint like in form and is usually applied like a paint. Thus, the word 'paint' could be substituted for'plastee - and an even more general term is 'a texturable or decorative coating' which could be substituted for the words 'Artex plaster' as used throughout this patent specification. Other similar materials might include those known as ?Iarox, Plastertex, Lafarge, Knaus'.

13

Claims

1. A method of decorating a surface such as a wall or ceiling4af a house, said method comprising applying an Artex plaster or the like to said surfwe in a wet form, allowing said Artex plaster or the like to harden and subsequently cutting or forming a pattern or design into the hardened surface of the Artex plaster or the like.

2. A method as claimed in Claim I comprising applying the Artex plaster or the like onto the surface to be decorated by means of a spray applicator.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2 in which the Artex plaster material is diluted from its normal mix with about 10% water.

4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising applying one or more coats of Artex plaster material or the like to said surface.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 4 in which the coats or coats are in the range 1/16 to 1/10 of an inch (. 16 to.25cm).

6. A method as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 in which the coat/s is/are of uniform thickness.

14

7. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6 in which more than one coat of Artex or plaster material or the like is applied and a pattern or design is cut or formed into one or more of said coats.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7 in which the coats are of a different colour in order to provide a two or more colour appearance when finished.

9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising applying adhesive tape or adhesive shapes or the like onto the surface to be decorated before applying a coat of Artex plaster material or the like, said tape or shapes being removed from the surface when said coat has hardened in order to provide recessed areas.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 9 where more than one coat of Artex plaster material or the like is applied and in which adhesive tape is applied to the surface of one of the coats prior to application of a second coat of such material.

11. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a decorative pattern or design is drawn or sketched out on the hardened Artex plaster material or the like prior to cutting or other guide means is employed for cutting or forming the finished design into the hardened material.

12, A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising cutting a pattern into the hardened material by the use of a special tool.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12 in which the tool is a motorised tool.

14. A method as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13 in which said tool allows a number of parallel grooves or lines to be formed into the hardened material at any one time, for example, by providing a motorised roller having a plurality of teeth or rings or grooves to cut the appropriate shape into the hardened material.

15. A method as claimed in anyone of said Claims I I to 14 in which the depth of cut into the material is regulated and/or variable.

16. A method as claimed in Claim I and substantially as herein described.

17. A decorated surface, for example, a wall or ceiling when produced by the method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims or including one or more coats of Artex plaster material or the like having a shape or decorative pattern cut or formed into the hardened surface of said Artex plaster material or the like.

18. A decorated surface substantially as here in described with reference to FIGURE 1, or FIGURE 2, or FIGURE 4, or FIGURE 5 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A dwelling including one or more decorated surfaces as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17.

20. A tool, preferably a motorised tool,, including means to cut a plurality of (preferably parallel) grooves or other formations into a hardened surface of Artex 16 plaster material or the like, said tool preferably having a roller arranged to rotate about its own axis, said roller carrying said cutting formations.

21. A tool as claimed in Claim 19 in which said tool has a roller which is motorised, the motor being located within the roller.

22. A tool as claimed in Claim 22 including a handle having an electrical switch means and connected to two elongate support members each supporting a respective end of said roller.

23. A tool as claimed in any one of Claims 19 to 21 including one or more rollers having cutting teeth or edges of different depth.

24. A tool substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURE 6 of the accompanying drawings.

17 CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A method of decorating a surface such as a wall or ceiling of a house, said method 5 comprising applying a plaster, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the Ue to said surface in a wet form, allowing said plaster, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like to harden and subsequently cutting or. forming a pattern or design into the hardened surface of the plaster,, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like. 10 2. A method as claimed in Claim I comprising applying the plaster, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like onto the surface to be decorated by means of a spray applicator. is 3. A method as claimed in Claim 2 in which the plaster material, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like is diluted from its normal mix with about 10% water. 4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising applying one 20 or more coats of plaster material, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like to said surface. 5. A method as claimed in Claim 4 in which the coats or coats are in the range 1/16 to I /10 of an inch (. 16 to.25cm). 25 19 6. A method as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 in which the coat/s is/are of uniform thickness.

7. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6 in which more than one coat of plaster material, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like is applied and a pattern or design is cut or formed into one or more of said coats.

9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising applying adhesive tape or adhesive shapes or the like onto the surface to be decorated before applying a coat of plaster material, texturable paint or texturable coating or the like, said tape or shapes being removed from the surface when said coat has hardened in order to provide recessed areas.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 9 where more than one coat of plaster material, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like is applied and in which adhesive tape is applied to the surface of one of the coats prior to application of a second coat of such material.

11. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a decorative pattern or design is drawn or sketched out on the hardened plaster material, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like prior to cutting or Iq 4 other guide means is employed for cutting or forming the finished design into the hardened material.

12. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising cutting a pattern into the hardened material by the use of a special tool.

13. A method as claimed in Claim. 12 in which the tool is a motorised tool.

15, A method as claimed in anyone of said Claims I I to 14 in which the depth of cut into the material is regulated and/or variable.

16. A method as claimed in Claim I and substantially as herein described.

17. A decorated surface, for example, a wall or ceiling when produced by the method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims or including one or more coats of plaster material, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like having a shape or decorative pattern cut or formed into the hardened surface of said plaster material, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like.

2.0 18. A decorated surface substantially as here in described with reference to FIGURE 1, or FIGURE 2, or FIGURE 4, or FIGURE 5 of the accompanying drawings.

20. Use of a tool to cut a plurality. of (preferably parallel) grooves or other formations into a hardened surface of plaster material, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like.

21. Use of a tool as claimed in Claim 20 in which the tool is motorised.

22. Use of a tool as claimed in claim 20 or 21, said tool having a roller arranged to rotate about its own axis and said roller carrying said cutting formations.

23. Use of a tool as claimed in Claim 22 when dependent from Claim 21 in which said roller is motorised, the motor being located within the roller.

24. Use of a tool as claimed in Claim 23 including a handle having an electrical switch means and connected to at least one elongate support member supporting a respective end of said roller.

25. Use of a tool as claimed in any one of Claims 19 to 24 including one or more rollers having cutting teeth or edges of different depth.

zi

26. Use of a tool substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURE 6 of the accompanying drawings.

27. A tool including means to cut a plurality of ( preferably parallel) grooves or other formations simultaneously into a hardened surface of plaster material, texturable paint or texturable or decorative coating or the like.

28. A tool as claimed in Claim 27 which is motorised.

29. A tool as claimed in Claim 27 or 28 having a roller arranged to rotate about its own axis, said roller carrying cutting formations.

30. A tool as claimed in Claim 29 when dependent from Claim 28 in which the roller is motorised and the motor is located within the roller.

3 1. A tool as claimed in Claim 29 or 30 including a handle having an electrical switch means and connected to at least one elongate support member supporting a respective end of said roller.

32. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 31 including one or more rollers having cutting teeth or edges of different depth.

33. A tool as herein described with reference to FIGURE 6 of the accompanying drawings.