GB2569406A

GB2569406A - Improvements relating to silicone rubber and the like

Info

Publication number: GB2569406A
Application number: GB1802480.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Imre Csaba; Imre Lorant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-02-15
Filing date: 2018-02-15
Publication date: 2019-06-19
Also published as: HUP1700069A2; GB201802480D0; WO2018150208A1

Abstract

A process for treating silicone rubber/caulk, in which detergent is applied to a surface of a body of silicone rubber (in an uncured or partially cured state, used as a filler or sealant), in the form of a spray, as a non-stick agent, before using the finger or a tool, to shape the rubber. With the silicone rubber in a cured state, as a seal of a joint between inner and outer pipes, to aid closure and/or opening of the joint. The detergent concentration is from 0.1% to 50% in a diluent, tap water, to have a pH value in a range of from 5 to 6; and is of an environmentally-friendly or ecofriendly composition, and/or a substantially non-irritant composition, preferably substantially entirely plant-based; and does not change the nature and/or composition of the silicone rubber, so that it will not weep.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to silicone rubber and the like.

BACKGROUND

In using silicone (also referred to as silicone rubber) ora like elastomer, e.g. a non-carbon elastomer, as for example a sealant or filler material, handling difficulties are encountered, e.g. because the material tends to stick, and in some applications it is required partly to stick and partly not to stick.

THE INVENTION

The inventors are aware of the use of water to facilitate handling of the silicone; for example wetting a finger before using the finger to smooth a (usually straight) line of applied silicone without the silicone sticking to the finger; but they have found that the water evaporates too quickly and needs to be replenished too often, for convenience.

One aspect of the invention consists in a process for treating silicone rubber, in which detergent is applied to a surface of (e.g. a body of) silicone rubber. Embodiments of the invention may have any one or more of the following features:

• the detergent is applied in the form of a spray, (for example it is sprayed onto the rubber.) • the detergent is applied from a spray bottle, (that is to say, a bottle having a spray nozzle).

• the bottle is squeezable.

• the bottle is squeezed to apply the spray.

• the detergent is applied to the surface of the silicone rubber while the rubber is in an uncured state, so that it is able to have its shape permanently changed, (for example, it is malleable or mouldable by pressure, for example of a person's finger or the like, forexampleby a hand-held wand.) (For example, in the process exemplified in Figures 2.1 to 2.4.) • the detergent applied to the rubber is used as a non-stick agent.

• after applying the detergent to the rubber, the rubber is shaped by a finger or the like, (e.g. using the detergent as a non-stick agent, i.e. to inhibit (e.g. substantially or completely reduce) sticking of the finger or the like to the rubber.) • the detergent is applied to a finger or the like which is then used to shape the rubber (and possibly in doing so the finger or the like applies some of the detergent to the rubber).

• the detergent or some of it is applied directly to the rubber before using the finger or the like to shape the rubber.

• the aforesaid finger or the like comprises a wooden wand, (for example, the wood having a surface able to absorb at least some of the detergent, e.g. as a sponge so that some of the detergent can be deposited from the surface onto the rubber. In an embodiment, the wand used is a flat wooden stick, substantially: 2 mm thick, 1 cm wide and 11 cm long, with rounded ends.) • the silicone rubber is a rubber that has been applied to a substratum, (for example, to fill a gap in the substratum.) • the process includes the step of applying the rubber to the substratum.

• the silicone rubber is in a cured state and the detergent is applied to the surface of the rubber as a non-stick agent.

• the silicone rubber is applied to a substratum and the detergent is then applied to the surface of the rubber.

• detergent is applied to a seal of silicone rubber to inhibit sticking of the seal, (for example a closure seal of a double glazing window; or again, in the process exemplified in Figures 3.1 to 3.3.) • the rubber is in a form suitable to be a seal of a joint between inner and outer pipes and the detergent is applied to a surface of the rubber.

• the process includes the step of using the rubber to form the seal.

• the rubber is or has been applied to the inside of the outer pipe or the outside of the inner pipe, and the inner pipe is then inserted into the outer pipe to form the sealed joint, (for example, using the detergent to act as a non-stick agent to facilitate the insertion, e.g. applied to a free surface of the rubber before the insertion.) • detergent is applied to a surface of a sealing ring of cured silicone rubber.

• a sealing ring of silicone rubber is formed on one or other of an inner and an outer pipe at a point where the two pipes are able to form a joint between the pipes (with the inner pipe inside the outer pipe at that point) with the aid of the sealing ring, and a detergent is applied to the surface of the rubber to aid closure (for formation or assembling) of the joint and/or opening (for disassembling or demounting of one pipe from the other) of the joint.

• the detergent is applied as a spray.

• the detergent is applied by hand.

• the detergent is applied from a spray bottle (that is to say, a bottle with a spray nozzle.) • the bottle is squeezable to effect the spraying.

• the detergent is in a concentration in a range of from 0.1% to 50% (preferably 0.1% to 5%, more preferably 0.1% to 1%) in a diluent.

• the diluent is water.

• the detergent has a pH value in a range of from substantially 5 to substantially 7, preferably substantially 5 to substantially 6, more preferably substantially 5. (We have found that the ph value changes from substantially 5 to substantially 6 as it is diluted towards the concentration that we prefer. The pH value can be used to define the preferred concentration.) • the detergent is of an environmentally-friendly or eco-friendly composition, (for example, such as is known in the art,) and/or a substantially non-irritant composition.

• the detergent is substantially entirely based on the vegetable kingdom, e.g. plant-based, e.g. rather than being mainly petrochemical-based.

• the detergent is of a composition which does not change the nature of the silicone rubber, (for example, making it runny, or sticky in the sense of adhering to a finger or the like; so that, for example, it needs to be cleaned off the finger or the like after this has been used to shape it, or off the surroundings of the rubber, e.g. the nearby part of the substratum.)

Another aspect of the invention consists in an article comprising silicone rubber that has been treated by any such method or process as mentioned herein.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a method for use in controlling the application of a silicone or the like as a sealant or filler material, in which the material, applied as a sealant or filler, is then coated with a lubricating, wetting and/or non-stick liquid, characterised in that the liquid is applied as a spray to form the coating and comprises water with a small amount of surfactant, i.e. less than 50% by volume. (As alternatives, in the method, the liquid may comprise the water and surfactant without the spraying or may comprise the spraying without the water and surfactant.)

-3Preferably, said small amount of the surfactant is in the range of from 0.01% to 20% by volume, more preferably above 0.1% or above 1% or above 5% or above 10%, and (combining any of these lower limits with any of the following upper limits, as the case may allow,) less than 15% or less than 10% or less than 5% or less than 1%. These percentages may depend upon the particular surfactant/s used and/or upon the particular silicone/s used.

The material can then be worked in situ by a tool without sticking to the tool. The tool may e.g. be a wand or spatula, preferably absorbent, preferably wooden, e.g. for tidying a line of silicone; or may e.g. be a pipe or wire to be inserted into a holding structure, e.g. another pipe for it to be sealed into. The sprayed liquid may e.g. then be washed off, e.g. with water, before the silicone at and immediately underlying the sprayed surface sets (cures) somewhat, possibly being allowed or helped to do so by washing away the coating, e.g. with water.

The method may comprise the step of applying, as aforesaid, said material to an end of a pipe, wire, coupling or holding structure before spraying the material as aforesaid. Said pipe or wire may be introduced to a coupling or holding structure after the spraying so that the said material forms a seal between the pipe or wire and the coupling or holding structure.

Preferably, the tool is also sprayed with the liquid before being used to work the silicone. The tool may be used e.g. to remove excess silicone, which can then readily be wiped off the sprayed tool without sticking to the tool, and/or the tool can be rinsed in a jar of the liquid to clean off the excess silicone.

Another aspect of the invention consists in apparatus for use in the said method, characterised in that it comprises a spray container of the liquid. The tool may be detachably attached to the container, by an adhesive means that can be broken (e.g. a fixative or glue) or can allow reattachment (e.g. double-sided adhesive tape).

The liquid may readily be chosen to be eco-friendly and/or non-irritant or otherwise non-injurious to health (and hence have sanitary properties), e.g. by being made basically from a suitable washing-up liquid (of which there are many on the market, e.g Ecover ZERO™ liquid, with the addition of water and possibly other ingredients. Other advantages of embodiments of the invention may include any of: being eco-friendly; allowing ease of use; allowing speed of use; allowing people who are not professionals or experienced to do a good job with the silicone or the like since the embodiments may allow the job to be done with little or no mess. Use of the liquid may allow a non-stick, readily slipping and/or readily sliding movement of the tool (or any other article) against the silicone. It is preferred to leave the silicone to dry or cure for 1 day after it has been positioned or worked with the tool or anything else.

The non-stick, sliding property of the coated surface of the silicone may allow a member to engage the silicone with the member having a ratchet-like, one-way, toothed surface that can slide in one direction along the treated surface of the silicone but cannot be readily withdrawn, either initially or more noticeably when the silicone has cured. This may be used e.g. for connecting pipes together.

In embodiments, the spray is used to prevent the sealant from sticking to a member that moves across it.

The liquid prevents the silicone or like sealant or filler material from sticking to a surface, or at least inhibits such sticking. It is herein described as being a liquid suitable to provide surface lubrication and/or wetting of a silicone or like sealant or filler material.

In an example, a coupling is made in two parts adapted to be mounted to respective ends of one or more pipes and adapted to be joined (e.g. screwed) together to couple the two ends together. The (e.g. silicone rubber) sealant is placed

-4inside, and sticks to the inside of, one end of the coupling. The spray is sprayed into the open end of that part and onto the sealant so that the free surface of the sealant is coated by the spray. The respective pipe end can therefore then be readily inserted into that open end. The coupling is then separated into its two parts and one of them is tightened onto the inserted pipe (e.g. in known manner by that part having two members one of which screws into the other while sliding against a cam surface of the other to effect the tightening). The sealant then acts as a washer to provide a seal which, because of the spray, does not stick to the inserted pipe (so that this may subsequently be readily removed if desired). Also, because the 'washer' is actually made of silicone rubber and is formed when the silicone is put into the open end of said one part, the washer need not be of a predetermined size and shape. Since the sticking-preventing material (the liquid suitable to provide surface lubrication and/or wetting of silicone or like sealant or filler material) is based upon washing-up liquid, which readily mixes with, and can be washed away with, water, processes using it can produce faster results and more reliable sealing.

Another aspect of the invention consists in means for controlling (e.g. tidying) applied silicone or like sealant or filler material comprising any one or more of the three members (a), (b), (c) constituting the following group: (a) a liquid suitable to provide surface lubrication and/or wetting of said material and comprising, by volume, water up to 80%, (preferably natural or mineral) surface-active material/s in a range of from 1% to 15% , sodium chloride, thickener/s and/or acidity regulator/s in a range of from 1% to 20%, with optional synthetic fragrance/s; (b) a container containing a liquid suitable to provide surface lubrication and/or wetting of said material, the container having a spray means and a tool (e.g. a spatula) detachably attached to the container suitable for spreading, smoothing and/or removing surplus said material; and (c) a method of tidying applied said material comprising the steps of spraying the applied material with, or otherwise applying thereto, a liquid suitable to provide surface lubrication and/or wetting of said material, spraying a tool suitable for spreading, smoothing and/or removing surplus said material with, or otherwise applying thereto, such liquid, and using the tool for spreading, smoothing and/or removing surplus said material. This method is exemplified in Figures 2.1 to 2.4, after the wand has been sprayed. This is part of a total process which may be applied to what may be called a line of silicone, in which first of all any existing silicone is removed and it is ensured that the area is clean and dry. (There is no need to use masking tape.) The silicone is applied into the linear gap making sure that there is a complete seal. The spray liquid is sprayed onto the line of silicone and onto the wooden wand/spatula/tool. The wand is then used to remove excess silicone from the line, which does not adhere to the wand because of the spray liquid. A small amount of the spray liquid is then sprayed onto a fingertip, which is then pulled gently along the silicone line to make it smooth. Again, the silicone does not adhere to the finger because of the spray liquid. It is to be noted that use of the spray liquid on the finger can be quite safe, since it is essentially (healthwise) only washing-up liquid. The tool can be cleaned of silicone from time to time by being rinsed in water, e.g. in a jar, to which has been added some of the spray liquid. Since a protective coating of the spray has been sprayed along and around the silicone line, it is easy simply to use plenty of water to wash and clean up around the silicone line. The container and its affixed tool are exemplified in Figure 1.

An embodiment may comprise said controlling means being adapted for making a pipe joint and comprising a method of preparing (an intended sealing surface of) a first pipe end by spraying it with, or otherwise applying thereto, a liquid suitable to provide surface lubrication and/or wetting of said material, applying said material to an intended cooperating sealing surface (e.g. pipe end), placing the two surfaces together so that said material forms a seal between them (while

-5sticking to said cooperating surface but not to said one surface), and tidying the material by the method of member (c) of the group. The two pipe ends are thereby sealed together but can be readily separated and re-sealed, since the sealant material remains in place sticking to one surface but can slide against the other surface. For example, with two pipe ends which are to be sealed one to the inside of the other, the said material is applied to the outside surface of the inner pipe end, the liquid is applied to the cooperating inner surface of the outer pipe end, and the pipe ends are moved into (disengageable) engagement, with the material acting as a sealant between them. This assumes that (if required) there is some means for holding the pipes together until it is required to disengage them, e.g. the above-mentioned coupling. This is exemplified in Figures 3.1 to 3.3, after the inside of the one end of the coupling that is going to be sprayed has been coated with the silicone rubber sealant. In use, the rubber sealant is sprayed with the liquid spray and the pipe is then connected into the rubber fitting formed by the sealant.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a method for making a disengageable engagement between two items, in which a surface part of one said item is provided with silicone or like sealant or filler material, a cooperating surface part of the other said item has applied thereto a liquid suitable to provide surface lubrication and/or wetting of said material, and the two items are moved into sealing engagement.

The liquid may, for example, be prepared from any known washing-up liquid or the like by the admixture therewith of water, preferably, by volume, in a range of from 12 to 16 parts of water to one part of such known liquid, more preferably in a range of from 13.5 to 14 parts. Such known washing-up liquid would be the normal strength not the concentrated form, as found generally in the marketplace. In a particular example, there was used Ecover ZERO™ washing-up liquid obtainable from the website https://www.ecover.com/products/washing-up-liquid-zero/. This is stated to have a composition of 5-15% anionic surfactants, <5% non-ionic surfactants, plus undisclosed quantities of water, lactic acid, sodium chloride and sodium citrate. To form the mentioned liquid suitable to provide surface lubrication and/or wetting, for use in the spray, this known washing-up liquid was diluted in the proportions 17 ml Ecover ZERO™ washing-up liquid to 234.5 ml aqua water with admixture of 0.5 ml coconut and menthol volatile substances (though this can be changed). In another example, the mentioned liquid comprises >80% water, 5-15% anionic and non-ionic surfactants, <5% synthetic perfume, aloe vera extract, lactic acid, salt, sodium-citrate, wheat protein.

Embodiment: Procedure fora specific (e.g. sanitary) spray:

The subject of this is a procedure for manufacturing a special (e.g. sanitary) spray and facilitating silicone coating and wiring jobs. By applying this liquid of unique composition, we lubricate the surface and thereby facilitate the appropriate implementation of silicone coating necessary in bathrooms, as well as the assembly of pipes and rubber seals. The unique composition liquid comes in a 250 mL bottle with a spray nozzle to ensure ease of use.

Silicone is essentially an organic-type compound (with silicon replacing carbon in its molecules), that was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century and used in various fields ever since. It is especially wide-spread in medicine, electronics and construction. In the latter, it is mainly used for insulation and the implementation of water-tight sealing. One of its common forms is the silicone tube seal, still flexible when applied, which is especially suitable for applying and shaping insulation for bathrooms and other waterworks. However, due to the nature of the material, it is difficult to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result. There are several tools designed to make application easier, such as various forms of palette knives, lubricants, special wiping sponges and gloves. Since we have been working in construction for several years, we

-6have personal experience of the lack of a compound, i.e. a suitable material (preferably a liquid) which can be used conveniently when shaping silicone - which we have now developed. In fact, nothing resembling the developed material can be found in the market or among patented inventions, even though several solutions with unique composition exist, but all of these are aimed at extracting the beneficial qualities of silicone and not at facilitating its use/treatment. Such materials include patent No. HU204078, titled “Silicone dispersion forming a spatial network as an elastomer after water elimination”, which, due to its specific and very diverse composition, creates a material with distinctly unique characteristics within the group of silicones. American patent No.US2891920 describes a procedure of using dispersing agents which can be of the cationic, anionic or nonionic type, with the use of catalysts. The procedure specified in the description creates a very stable emulsion that creates protective coatings by the elimination of water. The products created by the procedure do not contain components that could form a spatial network, therefore their mechanical characteristics are not satisfying. The description of patent NO.US4221688, titled ..SILICONE EMULSION WHICH PROVIDES AN ELASTOMERIC PRODUCT AND METHODS FOR PREPARATION”, as well as American patent NO.US4244849 and French patent NO.FR2463163 are considerably closer to our procedure in view of their objectives; however, neither of them enable easier handling of the base material in their implementation, rather it is a separate material that is being implemented in these procedures. Finally, let me mention an extended patent submitted under Registration No. HU224552, titled “Heat-stable, coloured, non-pastel shade, thermoset elastomeric silicone product”, which also contains an independent, ready-to-use material, and is not a compound to make the use of the original material easier. This means it also has its distinct features and unique method of use, which we will not describe here in detail.

The subject of the invention therefore is a procedure to facilitate the use of a spray for silicone coating and fitting, as well as a liquid mixture used in the procedure.

Our goal is to make silicone coating easier, to decrease the time necessary to perform the work and to improve the aesthetic qualities, and to facilitate other wiring jobs.

Our recommended solution is a procedure whereby we create a specific liquid mixture. To exploit the benefits of the procedure, this special liquid is contained in a generic bottle fitted with a spray nozzle, fully supporting the purposes of use.

Our specific liquid and the accompanying procedure prevents unwanted results of silicone coating procedures and any necessary repeats of the procedure, or situations where the silicone previously applied has to be removed.

Another field of use for our patentable procedure and its accompanying special liquid is to facilitate the assembly and fitting of plastic pipes and their rubber seals. Consequently, our liquid with its lubricant and moistening effects provides a solution for issues in silicone coating and the assembly of pipelines, making work procedures easier, faster, and making fittings more accurate. We can avoid unnecessary forceful assembly of pipes and their subsequent damages, as well as their now needless heating that would result in the emission of hazardous materials.

Due to its specific features as a liquid, unwanted consequences of the application of silicone coating are also avoided, as the silicone will not dry on the hands and other skin surfaces to form an irritative layer that is difficult to remove. Instead, it can be easily removed when work is finished from the surface of the hands that are sprayed with the liquid.

The benefits of the special liquid created in our procedure are therefore its easy application by anyone from a simple bottle fitted with a spray head, making its use especially practical during work. It provides a quick solution to problems that have been known for a long time, while maintaining professionalism. Most of the nuisances of applying silicone coating can

-7be prevented, thereby previously lengthy and delicate work processes that require specific tools can now be performed by hand with the use of our spray, without the need to apply various chemicals in a time-consuming cleaning procedure afterwards. The assembly of pipelines and the application of rubber seals is also easy to implement. We have paid special attention when developing the procedure to avoid using any materials that have serious adverse effects in humans or that may cause skin irritation. The final product can be manufactured at a very low cost from the materials used, creating another possible aspect for its quick spread.

The first step of use is to apply silicone to the designated area (e.g. the substratum), followed by spraying the (detergent) liquid on the silicone and its surrounding to prevent the silicone reacting with (e.g. sticking to) the surface in an unwanted area and to enable simple removal of any residue (of the silicone rubber) when work is finished. A spatula, preferably made of wood or other material with similar characteristics, has been provided for the shaping and other procedures after the application of the silicone. To perfect the outcome, the special liquid should be applied to the tip of the finger to enable extra precision with manual dexterity. The final shape of the silicone should then be left to dry for nearly twenty minutes under usual conditions, after which its surroundings can be easily and fully cleaned due to the specialcomposition liquid. When carrying out wiring works, the material is to be sprayed on the fitting surface to allow for easy assembly.

Currently no similar product is available on the market that would enable the easy shaping of silicone before drying and easy cleaning of surrounding surfaces, while the need for such a product clearly exists, judging from the issues experienced by the inventors during work processes. This means that the product resulting from the procedure we wish to patent would fulfil an existing market demand.

The liquid mixture consists of water up to 80%, placed in a mixing container with other natural surfactant ingredients providing lubrication, the ratio of which is between 1% and 15%. Use can be made more enjoyable by reducing the unpleasant vinegary, acidic smell of silicones with synthetic perfumes or volatile additives mixed to our special spray, resulting in the hands smelling les of silicone. The additional 5-20% components of the liquid, such as simple table salt, are for regulating acidity and consistency for the desired effect, as well as for enabling ease of use. The ready-made mixture is then provided for sale in the aforementioned spray bottle. The material thus produced consists entirely of natural ingredients, making it completely non-hazardous for the environment; however, in case of contact with mucosa or eyes, it should be removed promptly to avoid any irritations. The mixture produced is supplied in liquid form in a bottle fitted with a spray head, it basically provides surface lubrication and has a distinct composition, and its special features make it suitable for preventing silicone from sticking to unwanted surfaces before drying, while the applied silicone can also be easily shaped when sprayed with the above liquid with the attached spatula before drying. Its composition is completely natural, making it also suitable for spraying the surface of the hands for more accurate shaping without causing skin irritation. Furthermore, apart from the listed benefits, due to its lubricant characteristic, it is especially suitable to facilitate the assembly of plastic pipes and the fitting of insulation as frequently required with waterworks.

A spray embodiment as the basis of the procedure, consists of a water base up to 80% and containing natural surfaceactive materials for lubrication in 1-15%, as well as sodium chloride and thickeners in 1-20% to regulate the acidity and composition of the liquid, as well as optional synthetic fragrances. The resulting liquid is sold in bottles fitted with a spray head; the first step of use to facilitate silicone coating is to apply the special spray to the silicone placed in the cleaned gap

-8and to its surrounding, removing excess silicone with a spatula. More spray can then be applied to the fingertips, followed by shaping the silicone into its final shape and the cleaning of its surrounding. The special spray is also suitable for facilitating the assembly of pipes and the application of rubber seals.

A procedure embodiment for a specific spray, is characterised by the composition of the special liquid, which is the subject of the procedure providing surface lubrication, consisting of a water base up to 80% and containing natural surfaceactive materials for lubrication in 1-15%, as well as sodium chloride and thickeners in 1-20% to regulate the acidity and composition of the liquid, as well as optional synthetic fragrances. The resulting liquid is sold in bottles fitted with a spray head; the first step of use to facilitate silicone coating is to apply the special spray of the aforementioned composition to the silicone placed in the cleaned gap and to its surrounding, removing excess silicone with a spatula, and then applying more spray to the fingertips to shape the silicone and its surrounding into its final shape.

The special liquid to be used in the embodiment as just described may be characterised by the liquid being placed in a bottle preferably fitted with a spray head, with an attached spatula or wand made of a wood or plastic base to facilitate the procedures.

The procedure for the special liquid and its use in the embodiments as just described may be characterised by its suitability for facilitating the assembly of pipes and the application and use of rubber seals.

Because of the spreading property of surfactant, even if the spray initially produces separated drops on said material, these will spread and coalesce to form a coating on the material.

In embodiments, it has been found that the best pH value of the liquid is substantially 6. The inventors have tested various oil-based (petrochemical) washing-up (detergent) liquids commonly available, diluting them with water, but have found that these reacted with the silicone. When they sprayed these on e.g. a line of silicone used to seal a top edge of a bath to an adjacent wall, as shown in Figure 2.1, the silicone seemed to break down and started to flow, or at least to weep an undesirable liquid, making a mess, which took a lot of time to clean up around the bath. Detergents which were alkaline or neutral (pH 8 to pH 7) seemed to impair the structure of the silicone, reduce its flexibility and cause its structure to tear or break too easily. For example, when they placed a line of silicone in a negative comer, as seen in Figure 2.1, and sprayed onto it any of the other detergents they tested and then removed the excess silicone with a wand as described herein, there remained around the silicone a thin film, apparently of a mix of the detergent and a liquid derived from the silicone, which filmed dried when the silicone line dried, after about four hrs., and was then very difficult to remove. (It could not be removed immediately, while the silicone was still uncured and somewhat liquid, because this would have damaged the shaping given to the silicone.) On the contrary, when they used the plant-based detergent known as E-cover™, this did not react with the silicone in this untoward manner but allowed shaping of the silicone with a finger without the silicone sticking to the finger. This also meant that it was not necessary, after the job, to clean silicone from the hands or from the surrounding parts of the bathroom. In addition, using a 250 mL spray bottle to hold the diluted detergent, they found that this small bottle was very suitable for builders to put in a bucket which they carried around with them. Additionally, this particular detergent has properties of skincare (tends not to harm the user's skin), environmental safety (not harmful to the environment), it is eco-friendly, and if a little is left inside a pipe joint or around the edge of a bath it will not normally and adversely affect anything coming into contact therewith. Advantages of using a spray are that it sprays only a small amount

-9of liquid at a time, it is very easy to use, and it can be directed fairly accurately to where it is wanted, helping to avoid waste and mess.

In relation to making a pipe joint, as exemplified in Figures 3.1 to 3.3, use of the detergent liquid acted as a lubricant allowing the pipes to be connected together readily; in fact, to such an extent, that without the lubricant it was not found possible to connect the pipes together at all except by waiting a long time for the silicone to cure first. Thus, another aspect of the invention consists in a process of connecting an inner and an outer pipe together, in which method silicone is applied to one of the pipes, detergent is then applied to a free surface of the silicone before it cures and the other pipe is applied to said one pipe, sliding or touching said free surface, so that the silicone forms a seal between the pipes at that free surface. Another aspect of the invention consists in a process in which two parts are sealed together or otherwise adjoined (or put together) through the intermediary of silicone (e.g. as a resilient buffer), using detergent to treat the silicone to ensure that at least one of the parts does not stick to the silicone in this process. During the process, the silicone may be uncured or cured.

We have found that a useful dilution of the detergent may be achieved by using tap water. For example, they diluted the Ecover™ liquid as purchased from the website with about 80% of tap water (i.e. to a concentration of substantially 44%) in order to obtain a usable detergent liquid. Advantages of Ecover™ mentioned on their website are:

• Ecover™'s scent is a winning combination of lemon and aloe and chamomile and marigold or the revitalising scent of grapefruit and deodorising properties of green tea that make it effective whilst respecting one's skin.

• Ecover™ uses plant-based and mineral ingredients and clever science so people will get the results that they expect without those unnecessary (petro-based) chemicals.

• Suitable for septic tanks, not tested on animals, fully biodegradable.

Ecover™ Washing-Up Liquid - Benefits • Fresh perfume from plant-based ingredients.

• Cleans and degreases efficiently using the power of nature • Kind to your hands thanks to plant-based ingredients • Not based on petrochemical ingredients • No residue of unnecessary chemicals left on your dishes

Ecover Washing-Up Liquid - Environmental Advantage:

• Fast and complete biodegradability (OECD-test 301F, full product) • Minimum impact on aquatic life (OECD-test 201 &202, full product) • Against animal testing • Suitable for septic tanks

Embodiments of the invention can provide a process for treating silicone rubber, in which detergent is applied to a surface of a body of silicone rubber (e.g. in an uncured or partially cured state, e.g. used as a filler or sealant), in the form of a spray, as a non-stick agent, e.g. before using the finger or the like, e.g. a wooden wand, to shape the rubber; or with the silicone rubber in a cured state, e.g. as a seal, e.g. of a joint between inner and outer pipes, e.g. to aid closure of the joint and/or opening of the joint. The detergent is in a concentration in a range of from 0.1% to 50% in a diluent, e.g. tap water, to have a pH value in a range of from substantially 5 to substantially 6; and is of an environmentally-friendly or eco-friendly

-10composition, and/or a substantially non-irritant composition, preferably substantially entirely plant-based; and does not change the nature and/or composition of the silicone rubber, e.g. so that it will not weep.

In a particular process embodiment of the invention for treating uncured silicone rubber, often called mastic in the house-decorating and plumbing trades, a line of the silicone is applied as a filler and/or sealant to the negative edge between a flat horizontal bath top rim and an adjoining vertical wall, by any method known in the art, e.g. squeezing the silicone from a handheld supply tube as this is moved backwards along the edge. Detergent is applied to the free surface of the silicone line by being squeezed from a squeezable spray bottle to spray onto the silicone and is also sprayed onto a finger or spatula/wand, so that the latter will not stick to the silicone when touching it, and the end of the latter is then, with slight pressure, drawn along the line to smooth, shape and/or remove excess silicone from the line.

In another particular embodiment, a cured silicone rubber closure seal for a hinged or sliding, double-glazed window or the like is sprayed with the detergent, which is found to prevent a member which presses against the seal or slides along it from sticking to the seal, the member being e.g. the movable window or its frame ora double-glazed door, e.g. a patio door.

In another particular embodiment, the silicone is applied as an O-ring or band to the inside of an end of an outer pipe in a cured, partially cured or uncured state. The inner free surface of the silicone is then sprayed with detergent, as also the outer surface of an end of an inner pipe which is then slidingly inserted into the seal in the outer pipe to seal to the outer pipe with the aid of the silicone seal. The detergent facilitates non-sticking of the inner pipe to the seal during the sliding movement, which can also be used to shape the silicone seal provided it is not yet fully cured. Alternatively, the silicone seal can be applied to the outside of the inner pipe before this is slid into the outer pipe, with the other steps mutatis mutandis.

In these particular embodiments, the detergent used is Ecover™ diluted with 80% of tap water to have a pH value of substantially 5.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed. Where a preference or particularisation is stated, there is implied the possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in which that preference or particularisation is absent.

Many variations of the invention and embodiments hereinbefore described will be apparent to people skilled in the art and all such variations are to be considered as falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A process for treating silicone rubber, in which detergent is applied to a surface of a body of silicone rubber.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the detergent is applied in the form of a spray.

3. A process as claimed in claim 2, in which the detergent is applied from a spray bottle.

4. A process as claimed in claim 3, in which the bottle is squeezable.

5. A process as claimed in claim 4, in which the bottle is squeezed to apply the spray.

6. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the detergent is applied to the surface of the silicone rubber while the rubber is in an uncured state, so that it is able to have its shape permanently changed.

7. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the detergent applied to the rubber is used as a non-stick agent.

8. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which, after applying the detergent to the rubber, the rubber is shaped by a finger or the like.

9. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the detergent is applied to a finger or the like which is then used to shape the rubber.

10. A process as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the detergent or some of it is applied directly to the rubber before using the finger or the like to shape the rubber.

11. A process as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, in which the aforesaid finger or the like comprises a wooden wand.

12. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the silicone rubber is a rubber that has been applied to a substratum.

13. A process as claimed in claim 12, including the step of applying the rubber to the substratum.

14. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the silicone rubber is in a cured state and the detergent is applied to the surface of the rubber as a non-stick agent.

15. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the silicone rubber is applied to a substratum and the detergent is then applied to the surface of the rubber.

16. A process for treating silicone rubber, in which detergent is applied to a seal of silicone rubber to inhibit sticking of the seal.

17. A process for treating silicone rubber, in which the rubber is in a form suitable to be a seal of a joint between inner and outer pipes and the detergent is applied to a surface of the rubber.

18. A process as claimed in claim 17, including the step of using the rubber to form the seal.

19. A process as claimed in claim 17 or 18, in which the rubber is or has been applied to the inside of the outer pipe or the outside of the inner pipe, and the inner pipe is then inserted into the outer pipe to form the sealed joint.

20. A process in which detergent is applied to a surface of a sealing ring of cured silicone rubber.

21. A process in which a sealing ring of silicone rubber is formed on one or other of an inner and an outer pipe at a point where the two pipes are able to form a joint between the pipes with the aid of the sealing ring, and a detergent is applied to the surface of the rubber to aid closure of the joint and/or opening of the joint.

22. A process as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21, in which the detergent is applied as a spray.

23. A process as claimed in claim 22, in which the detergent is applied by hand.

24. A process as claimed in claim 22 or 23, in which the detergent is applied from a spray bottle.

25. A process as claimed in claim 24, in which the bottle is squeezable to effect the spraying.

26. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the detergent is in a concentration in a range of from 0.1% to 50% in a diluent.

27. A process as claimed in claim 26, in which the diluent is water.

28. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the detergent has a pH value in a range of from substantially 5 to substantially 6.

29. A process as claimed in any preceding claim in which the detergent is of an environmentally-friendly or ecofriendly composition, and/or a substantially non-irritant composition.

30. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the detergent is substantially entirely plant-based.

31. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the detergent is of a composition which does not change the nature of the silicone rubber.

32. An article comprising silicone rubber that has been treated by a process as claimed in any preceding claim.