GB2470085A

GB2470085A - Protecting surfaces and frangible structures

Info

Publication number: GB2470085A
Application number: GB0916691A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Harry Orchard
Original assignee: Packexe Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Packexe Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2009-05-09
Filing date: 2009-09-23
Publication date: 2010-11-10
Also published as: GB0907994D0; GB201304692D0; GB2498656B; GB2498656A; GB0916691D0

Abstract

A method of protecting a surface or structure 3 comprises providing a cylindrical roll 1 of a plastic film 2 one side of which has an adhesive coating and in which the plastic film is formed with a plurality of spaced transversely extending rows of perforations, applying the adhesive-coated side of the plastic film 2 to the surface or structure 3, unwinding a desired length of the plastic film 2 from the roll 1 and rupturing the plastic film 2 along a row of perforations. A device for carrying out the method is also claimed, the device comprising a dispenser having a core supported between a pair of end caps, a cylindrical roll 1 of plastic film 2 wound onto the core and a resilient roller 5, 5A that extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the core and that enables a user to apply a resilient load to the plastic film as it is applied to the surface 3. Such a surface could include a windshield or windscreen of a vehicle.

Description

PROTECTING SURFACES AND FRANGIBLE STRUCTURES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the protection of surfaces and frangible structures.

One of the problems faced by firemen attending crash scenes involving motor vehicles is that, when attempting to gain access to the interior of a vehicle in which one or more people are trapped by cutting through part of the vehicle structure, they may cause breakage of one or more windows of the vehicle.

The breaking of a vehicle window can result in shattering of the glass, with the possibility of injuring one or more of the firemen and/or one or more of the people within the vehicle.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an effective answer to the above problem.

A more general object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of protecting surfaces and frangible structures.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of protecting a surface or structure which comprises providing a cylindrical roll of a plastic film one side of which has an adhesive coating and in which the plastic film is formed with a plurality of spaced transversely extending rows of perforations, applying the adhesive-coated side of the plastic film to the surface or structure, unwinding a desired length of the plastic film from the roll and rupturing the plastic film along a row of perforations.

The roll of plastic film is preferably wound Qnto a core that is rotatably supported by a pair of end caps that provide support for a resilient roller that extends parallel to the axis of rotatioh of the core and enables the user to apply a resilient load to the plastic film as it is being applied to the surface or structure. The purpose of this is to ensure that complete, strong, uniform contact is obtained between the plastic film and the surface or structure.

Two spaced resilient rollers may be supported by the end caps to facilitate the application of the plastic film to the surface or structure and to facilitate rupturing of the film along a selected row of perforations.

The plastic film may be low density polyethylene having a thickness within the range of from 40 to 100 microns, typically between 50 to 60 microns. The rows of perforations may be spaced apart by a distance of the order of 75 to 150 mrns., typically 100 mms.

The adhesive applied to one side of the plastic film may be a solvent-based acrylic adhesive.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispenser for use in protecting a surface or structure, the dispenser comprising a core supported between a pair of end caps, a cylindrical roll of a plastic film wound onto the core, one side of the film having an adhesive coating and the plastic film being formed with a plurality of spaced transversely extending rows of perforations, and a resilient roller that extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the core and enables the user to apply a resilient load to the plastic film as it is being applied to the surface or structure.

As mentioned above, two spaced resilient rollers may be supported by the end caps to facilitate the application of the plastic film to the surface or structure and to facilitate rupturing of the film along a selected row of perforations.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional side view showing the application of a plastic film to a vehicle window, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a dispenser, and Figure 3 shows part of a sheet of protective plastic film.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The dispenser shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a pair of end caps 6 and 7 between which a core 1 is rotatably mounted with a roll of low density polyethylene film 2 wound onto the core 1.

The polyethylene film has an average thickness of the order of 55 microns, a longitudinal tensile strength in excess of 1 daN/cm and a transverse tensile strength in excess of 0.7 daN/cm.

The polyethylene film 2 is a clear film which is coated on one side with a solvent-based acrylic adhesive so that, as the film is withdrawn from the roll, it can be placed on a surface that requires protection and will remain in contact with that surface. The adhesion to steel is of the order of 330 cN/cm.

A pair of resilient rollers 5 and 5A, in the form of cylinders of foamed plastic material supported on central rods, extend between the end caps 6 and 7. The resilient rollers 5 and 5A are spaced from the surface of the polyethylene film 2 wound onto the core 1 and are used to assist in placing the film 2 in the required position and urging it resiliently into contact with the surface to be protected. The film 2 is highly static and this ensures that the non-adhesive side of the film 2 sticks to the rollers 5 and 5A.

The polyethylene film 2 is formed with transversely extending rows 8 of. perforations and, when a sufficient length of the polyethylene film 2 has been withdrawn from the roll, the film 2 is ruptured by tearing along a selected row 8 of perforations. The provision of the resilient rollers 5 and 5A facilitates tearing. The rows 8 of perforations extend fully across the film and are typically uniformly spaced apart by a distance of the order of 100 mms. This makes tearing easier enabling an accurate tear to be made without the need for a separate cutting tool and avoiding wastage of the film 2.

Figure 1 shows the application of a strip of film 2 to a windàw or windscreen 3 of a vehicle having a solid frame 4 so as to cover the frangible part of the vehicle. A number of strips of film will normally be applied, starting from a position either above or below the window. The whole of the window or windscreen will be covered with a degree of overlap onto the vehicle frame 4. The film 2 adheres securely to the surfaces to which it is applied. This ensures that, if the window or windscreen 3 should break as a result of an attempt being made to obtain access to the interior of the vehicle, the broken glass will remain adhered to the plastic film 2 and will not injure the firemen or the people within the vehicle.

The technical data for the film may be as follows:-Film Type Low Density Polyethylene, Average Thickness 55 Microns, Colour Clear with Red Print, Adhesive Type Acrylic Solvent based, Adhesion to Steel 330 cN/cm., Longitudinal Tensile Strength >1 daN/cm., Transverse Tensile Strength >0.7 daN/cm.

Although specific reference has been made above to the application of the adhesive-coated film to a vehicle window or windscreen, it is to be appreciated that the invention is applicable to the protection of surfaces and structures generally.

Claims

Claims:- 1. A method of protecting a surface or structure which comprises providing a cylindrical roll of a plastic film one side of which has an adhesive coating and in which the plastic film is formed with a plurality of spaced transversely extending rows of perforations, applying the adhesive-coated side of the plastic film to the surface or structure, unwinding a desired length of the plastic film from the roll and rupturing the plastic film along a row of perforations.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the roll of plastic film is wound onto a core that is rotatably supported by a pair of end caps.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which the end caps provide support for a resilient roller that extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the core and enables the user to apply a resilient load to the plastic film as it is being applied to the surface or structure.
4. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which two spaced resilient rollers are supported by the end caps to facilitate the application of the plastic film to the surface or structure and to facilitate rupturing of the film along a selected row of perforations.
5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the plastic film is low density polyethylene having a thickness within the range of from 40 to 100 microns.
6. A method as claimed in Claim 5, in which the thickness is between 50 to 60 microns.
7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the rows of perforations are spaced apart by a distance of the order of 75 to 150 mms.
8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the adhesive applied to one side of the plastic film is a solvent-based acrylic adhesive.
9. A method of protecting a surface or structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. A dispenser for use in protecting a surface or structure, the dispenser comprising a core supported between a pair of end caps, a cylindrical roll of a plastic film wound onto the core, one side of the film having an adhesive coating and the plastic film being formed with a plurality of spaced transversely extending rows of perforations, and a resilient roller that extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the core and enables the user to apply a resilient load to the plastic film as it is being applied to the surface or structure.
11. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 10, in which two spaced resilient rollers are supported by the end caps to facilitate the application of the plastic film to the surface or structure and to facilitate rupturing of the film along a selected row of perforations.
12. A dispenser for use in protecting a surface or structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amended claims have been filed as follows:- Claims:- 1. A method of protecting a surface or structure which comprises providing a cylindrical roll of a plastic film one side of which has an adhesive coating afforded by a solvent-based acrylic adhesive and in which the plastic film is formed with a plurality of spaced transversely extending rows of perforations, applying the adhesive-coated side of the plastic film to the surface or structure using two spaced resilient rollers, unwinding a desired length of the plastic film from the roll and rupturing the plastic film along a row of perforations.2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the roll of plastic film is wound onto a core that is rotatably supported by a pair of end caps.3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which the end caps provide support for the resilient rollers.4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the plastic film is low density polyethylene having a thickness within the range of from 40 to 100 microns. * *. * * * ****5. A method as claimed in Claim 4, in which the thickness of the film is between 50 to 60 microns. * *6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the rows of perforations are spaced apart by a distance of the order of 75 to 150 mms.7. A method of protecting a surface or structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.8. A dispenser for use in protecting a surface or structure, the dispenser comprising a core supported between a pair of end caps, a cylindrical roll of a plastic film wound onto the core, one side of the film having an adhesive coating afforded by a solvent-based acrylic adhesive and the plastic film being formed with a plurality of spaced transversely extending rows of perforations, and two spaced resilient rollers that extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the core and enable the user to apply a resilient load to the plastic film as it is being applied to the surface or structure.9. A dispenser for use in protecting a surface or structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. S... * .* S*... * . * .. * . S S.. *5 * a * S.. * S.SS