IT202100004055A1 - NEW MATERIAL CONTAINING ELASTOMERS, METHOD FOR ITS PREPARATION, ITS USES AND ITEMS CONTAINING IT. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION of the invention entitled:

?New material containing elastomers, method for its preparation, its uses and articles containing it?

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a new material containing elastomers, in particular, but not only EPDM or SBR, associated with a layer of fabric by means of an adhesive agent; The invention also relates to a method for preparing said material, its use in making accessories and articles for the person, animals and environments, and the articles and accessories so also obtained through the use of laser printing.

Technical context

The term elastomer defines a class of polymers, natural or synthetic, which have particular mechanical performances, such as the deformability? similar to that of rubber?, and in particular the capacity? to bear important elastic deformations.

EPDM (ethylene/propylene/diene/monomer) and SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) are thermoplastic elastomers known and used in many applications, such as in gaskets, joints and guides windows, roofing membranes, hoses, straps, electrical insulation, running tracks and many more.

Multilayer fabrics are known, consisting of layers of different materials, connected by means of a layer of adhesive material.

By way of example, EP475728A2 describes a material consisting of a fabric support or a polyester film to which an EPDM elastomer adheres by means of an intermediate layer of an ethylene polymeric hot melt glue. The EPDM used in said material is extruded at a certain speed? and is placed on the support which slides on rollers, said support being pre-treated with hot glue.

US2018/0282597 discloses a material useful as an adhesive for bonding a fabric to a rubber substrate, for example an EPDM sheet, which comprises at least one olefin functionalised/halogenated polymer and an adhesive agent and/or an olefin polymer having a particular density. Such material? used for the coating of belts or pipes.

It would be useful to have a material that contains a layer of fabric associated with an elastomer, which is biocompatible, resistant and which has a not too high specific weight, and which is also suitable for making accessories and items for the person, for animals and for the environments.

Purposes of the invention

? It is an object of the present invention to provide a new material containing elastomers associated with a fabric layer.

? another object of the invention is to provide a method for preparing said material. ? a further object of the invention is to provide the use of said material in the production of articles, in particular accessories and articles for the person, animals and environments, as well as accessories and articles such as obtained.

Brief description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows the material of the invention of which the two sides, internal and external, can be appreciated;

Figure 2 shows the material of the invention on the elastomer side (external);

Figure 3 , shows the cloth side (inner) material;

Figure 4 shows a simplified side view of the material according to the invention;

Figures 5A to 5F show in a simplified way the different manufacturing steps of the material according to the invention.

Description of the invention

With reference to the figures mentioned above, according to one of its aspects, the invention relates to a material 1 which comprises a layer of fabric 2 associated with at least one elastomer, preferably selected from EPDM, SBR and their blends, characterized in that said elastomer 3 ? in the form of granules.

For ?material? here it is intended to indicate a material having the appearance of a fabric, suitable for example, but not only, for the production of accessories and items for the person, for animals and for environments, for example for the home, boats, upholstery, upholstery , soundproofing of the walls, blackout curtains. The term ?fabric? indicated above only intends to provide the perception of the appearance of the material and must not be understood (necessarily) as the product obtained from the weaving of textile fibers.

For ?cloth? here it is intended to indicate any fabric or non-woven fabric, for example fabrics of synthetic origin, such as polyesters, polyamides, viscose, etc., or of natural origin, such as wool, cotton, linen, etc.. Preferably, said fabric ? very light and has a specific weight of less than 50 g/m<2>, more? preferably from 30 g/m<2> to 40 g/m<2>, advantageously from 30 g/m<2> to 36 g/m<2>. A low specific weight of the fabric layer? advantageous to compensate for the high specific weight of the elastomer granules. Preferably, said low specific thickness must be associated with a strong resistance of the fabric. Preferably, said fabric has cohesion and tear strength higher than 1.5 N/mm<2 >and compressive strength higher than 25 N/mm<2 >(N = Newton).

A particularly preferred fabric according to the invention contains polyamide (otherwise called nylon), advantageously? 100% polyamide.

According to a preferred embodiment, said fabric ? the nylon used for the sails of boats, advantageously the nylon marketed under the brand SUPERKOTE<?>, even more? preferably the SUPERKOTE<? >60.

For ?associate? it is meant here to indicate that the layer of fabric and the at least one elastomer in granules constitute two layers adhered in the material of the invention.

Suitable elastomers according to the invention must above all be biocompatible and have excellent resistance to ageing, oxidation and atmospheric agents, to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. For example EPDM ? an elastomer suitable for the? invention why? ? a non-toxic product, with excellent resistivity? to? electrical insulation and ? an excellent insulator.

For ?EPDM? it is meant here to indicate the ethylene/propylene/diene/monomer elastomer.

for ?SBR? it is intended here to indicate styrene butadiene rubber.

According to a preferred embodiment, said at least one elastomer ? EPDM.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastomer of the material of the invention is in the form of granules having an average particle size of from 0.01 to 1.5 mm, preferably from 0.5 to 2.0 mm, advantageously around 1 mm. Said granules, which can be colorless or, preferably, colored are commercially available. Said granules can in any case be prepared according to techniques well known to those skilled in the art, for example by extrusion.

An EPDM particularly suitable for the invention? the one currently marketed under the brand name ?GEZOFLEX<? >0515?, whose granules have a particle size of between 0.5 and 2.0 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the material of the invention comprises a single elastomer, advantageously EPDM.

According to the invention, the layer of fabric and the elastomer are held together by a layer of an adhesive agent, said adhesive agent preferably being a resin, advantageously a resin which does not release substances harmful to humans, animals and the environment .

According to a preferred embodiment, said adhesive agent 4? a resin chosen among the aliphatic polyurethane resins, more? preferably an aliphatic polyurethane resin free of solvents and plasticisers, in particular free of phthalates.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, said adhesive agent ? the resin currently marketed under the brand name ?Legante Gaucho<?>? (Krypton Chemical Italy). For the preparation of the material, you can? proceed by applying a suitable adhesive agent on the layer of fabric and subsequently sowing the granules of the elastomer in large quantities. After adhesion, the excess granules are eliminated, that is? those not adhered to the fabric. According to a preferred embodiment, further bonding agent 7 is finally applied to the elastomer side, preferably by spraying.

According to another of its aspects, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of the material of the invention which comprises:

(i) applying a layer of an adhesive agent 4 to a layer of fabric 2 as defined above (see Figures 5A and 5B );

(ii) sowing granules of at least one elastomer 3 as defined above on said layer of adhesive (see figure 5C);

(iii) eliminate granules 3? in excess (see figure 5D);

(iv) optionally applying a further layer of adhesive agent 7 on the layer of granules obtained in step (ii) (see figures 5E and 5F).

The operating conditions for applying the bonding agent depend on the bonding agent used and must therefore follow the manufacturer?s recommendations.

By way of example, if an aliphatic polyurethane resin is used, such as ?Gaucho binder<?>? as an adhesive agent, the temperature of the production environment will be? preferably between 10 and 30? C. The humidity? relative air sar? preferably between 30% and 80%.

The temperature of the support, or of the fabric, will be? preferably above 3°C from that of the dew point. The maximum application temperature should preferably not? exceed 40?C.

Will the support be preferably at a temperature between 10?C and 25?C, and sar? preferably clean, dry, free from loose or flaking parts, free from traces of oil, grease, waxes and release agents.

The complete adhesion of the elastomer to the fabric takes place in a short time, this time being defined here as the ?catalysis time?.

The curing time depends on the type of adhesive agent and the hygro-environmental conditions. The increase in temperature and humidity? usually the catalysis time decreases. Greater thicknesses of bonding agent usually require more curing time.

The application of the adhesive in phase (i) can? be made according to any method known to the art, for example manually, by means of brushes or other suitable devices, or automatically, by means of suitable equipment.

To ?sow? it is intended to indicate the application of the granules on the layer of adhesive. The sowing of the granules in step (ii) must be done evenly and, if a uniform layer of elastomer is desired, without leaving gaps, bearing in mind the curing time. To facilitate sowing and to have more time available, if desired or necessary, you can keep the layer of fabric resting on a cold support base because, as mentioned, the increase in temperature and humidity? the catalysis time decreases.

Sowing can be carried out with any method known to the art, for example manually or using suitable machinery.

As mentioned, the elastomer granules are preferably coloured, black and white being considered herein as colours. Granules of different colors can be used to obtain patterns or designs. Can they also? be added other solid components, of a suitable size, such as small stones, glitter, rhinestones and the like.

On the elastomer layer ? preferably additional bonding agent applied. In this case, the adhesive agent, preferably an aliphatic polyurethane resin, such as for example ?Gaucho binder<?>?, is diluted in a suitable solvent, for example water, so that it can be sprayed onto the elastomer layer; according to a preferred embodiment, in this step the adhesive agent is? sprayed at a rate of 100-200 g/m<2>, for example at a rate of about 150g/m<2 >of adhesive agent (solvent excluded).

Once the material of the invention has been made in the manner described more above, this material can? be suitably cut through the use of a laser printer capable of carving/perforating the material and thus realizing extremely refined and elaborate forms. Furthermore, ? It is also possible to use digital printers, preferably of the ultraviolet (UV) type, to imprint images on the upper surface of the outer layer, the one consisting of elastomer granules as defined above.

With reference to the figures mentioned above, the material 1 of the invention therefore preferably comprises an internal layer of fabric 2 as defined above, an intermediate layer of adhesive 4 as defined above and an external layer 3 constituted by granules of elastomer as defined above.

According to a preferred embodiment, does the material of the invention comprise, or alternatively ? consisting of:

- a layer of 2 nylon fabric, preferably SUPERKOTE<? >60,

- a layer of aliphatic polyurethane resin 4, preferably with a thickness of from 0.5 to 2 mm, advantageously from about 1 mm, and

- a layer of elastomer granules 3, preferably EPDM or SBR, preferably having an average particle size of 0.5-1.5mm.

The elastomers and the material of the invention are biocompatible, wherein by biocompatible it is meant here to indicate that they are not toxic or harmful to humans, animals or the environment.

The material of the invention ? very versatile and can be used for the production of various articles.

According to another of its aspects, the invention relates to the use of the material of the invention for the preparation of accessories and articles for people, animals and environments.

According to another of its aspects, the invention relates to a method for preparing accessories and articles for the person, for animals and for the environment which comprises shaping a material according to the invention.

By way of example, the material of the invention can be used for the creation of personal accessories, such as bags, tote bags, wallets, etc., as well as for the creation of personal clothing, clothing for pets, furnishings for the home or other environments, etc. .

For this purpose, the material of the invention can be easily cut, sized and shaped into an article. For example, after cutting, the material can? be sewn, by hand or by machine, or glued or otherwise assembled, like any other known textile-type material.

According to another of its aspects, the invention relates to a method for making accessories and articles for the person, for animals and for the rooms which includes dimensioning and shaping the material of the invention.

According to another of its aspects, the invention relates to an article, preferably an accessory or an article for people, animals and environments made at least partially with the material of the invention.

Experimental section

Example 1

Preparation of a material representative of the invention

Teflon is placed on a fabric made of nylon (SUPERKOTE<? >60) on a support base in Teflon<?>; preferably, above said layer of fabric, an aliphatic polyurethane resin (Caucho binder<?>) is applied by spraying in a quantity from 0.350 to 0.400 kg/m<2>, at room temperature. A layer of colored EPDM granules having an average particle size of 0.5-1.5 mm is applied, in an amount of about 3kg/m<2>. The fabric what? prepared can be cut and subsequently sewn or otherwise assembled to make bags, clothing and so on.

Claims (12)

1. Material (1) which comprises a layer of fabric (2) associated with at least one elastomer (3), preferably selected from EPDM, SBR and their blends, characterized in that said elastomer ? in the form of granules. 2. Material according to claim 1, characterized in that said fabric is of natural or synthetic origin, chosen from polyesters, polyamides, viscose, wool, cotton, linen and their blends. 3. Material according to claim 2, characterized in that said fabric is a polyamide. 4. Material according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said fabric has a specific weight lower than 50 g/m<2>, preferably from 30 g/m<2> to 40 g/m<2>, more? preferably from 30 g/m<2> to 36 g/m<2>. 5. Material according to any one of claims from 1 to 4, characterized in that said elastomer is EPDM. 6. Material according to any of claims from 1 to 4, characterized in that said granules have an average particle size of from 0.01 to 1.5 mm, preferably from 0.5 to 2.0 mm, plus? preferably around 1 mm. 7. Material according to any one of claims from 1 to 6, characterized in that between said layer of fabric and said elastomer granules ? there is an adhesive layer (4), preferably an aliphatic polyurethane resin. 8. Use of the material according to any one of the claims from 1 to 6, for the preparation of accessories and articles for the person, for the animals and for the environments. 9. Method for making accessories and articles for the person, for animals and for the rooms which comprises dimensioning and shaping a material of any one of claims from 1 to 7. 10. Article or accessory for the person, for the animals and for the environments made at least partially with a material of any of the claims from 1 to 7. 11. Process for preparing the material (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 which comprises: (i) applying a layer of an adhesive agent (4) on a layer of cloth (2) as defined above; (ii) sowing granules (3) of at least one elastomer as defined above on said layer of adhesive. 12. Process according to claim 11, characterized in that, after said step (ii), the method comprises the steps of: (iii) eliminating the excess granules (3?); and/or (iv) optionally applying a further layer of adhesive agent (7) on the layer of granules obtained in step (ii).