JPH05339399A - Polymer coated contact surface and production thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve the gripping characteristics of the contact surface of a handle, grip or glove.

CONSTITUTION: The gripping characteristics of a handle, grip or glove can be improved by applying a soft, and/or tacky elastomeric coating having a hardness of 10 to 40 Shore A, a tensile strength of 400 to 1,700 psi, an elongation of 200 to 1,400 percent and a tear resistance of 50 to 400 pli, such as a crosslinkable acrylic polymer. The coating solution can contain a pigment. The coating solution accordingly formed is applied to the contact surface and dried, so as to form the polymer coating.

COPYRIGHT: (C)1993,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of chemistry. More particularly, the present invention relates to polymeric coatings for contact surfaces and methods for coating such surfaces.

Hand tools such as hammers, drivers and axes, and handles for sporting equipment such as golf clubs, baseball bats and tennis rackets are typically made of hard materials. Examples of such hard materials are metal, wood and graphite composites.

It is desirable to improve the grip of such handles. The better the grip of a hand tool, the more efficient and safe it is and the less likely it is to hurt the muscle during long-term or repeated use. The better the grip of the sports equipment, the softer the grip (less tight) and the less likely it is to hurt your muscles.

It is known to improve grip by adding a relatively thick layer of soft material to a hard handle, for example by wrapping the handle with cloth or leather or wrapping the handle with molded rubber or plastic grips. Injection molded plastics that form the grip include the styrene / ethylene-butylene / styrene block copolymer composition sold under the trademark Kraton by the Shell Chemical Company. It is also known to improve grip by wearing gloves made of relatively soft materials such as gloves made of cloth, leather, rubber or plastic.

It has been discovered by the present invention that grip is further improved when the contact surface of the handle, grip or glove is coated with a soft and / or tacky elastomeric polymer.

In one embodiment, the gripping characteristics of the contact surface of the handle, grip or glove are: hardness of 10-40 Shore A, tensile strength of 400-1700 psi, elongation of 200-1400 percent and 50-400 lbs / line. It is improved by applying a soft, elastomeric coating with tear resistance in inches (pli). The polymer used to form the coating is, for example, an oil-modified, styrene / ethylene-butylene / styrene block copolymer composition sold under the trademark Kraton G-2706 by the Shell Chemical Company. Kraton G-2706 is dissolved in ethylbenzene or other aromatic hydrocarbons at 10-45% solids by high temperature, high shear mixing, and the coating solution thus formed is then applied to the contact surface, dried and polymer coated. To form. In some embodiments, the coating solution further comprises a pigment.

In another example, a soft, tacky, crosslinkable acrylic polymer emulsion is used in place of the styrene / ethylene-butylene / styrene block copolymer to form the polymer coating. Such emulsions give the surface a tacky feel, excellent peel adhesion and a high coefficient of friction.

The coating according to the invention can be applied to any contact surface. Examples of contact surfaces are metal, wood,
Includes handles for hand tools and sports equipment that are softer, harder than elastomeric coatings, such as handles made of glass fibers, composites, graphite composites, ceramics, engineering plastics, and the like. Examples of contact surfaces are leather, rubber, Kraton G-2705, Kr.
Grips for hand tools and sports equipment made of plastics, including aton G-2706, Kraton G-7705, gloves made of leather such as carburetor sheepskin, goat skin or suede, and rubber or cloth or rubber or It includes a relatively soft contact surface such as a glove coated with polyurethane foam. While styrene / ethylene-butylene / styrene block copolymers do not adhere well to carburetor sheepskin gloves or polyurethane coated fabrics, crosslinkable acrylic polymers have excellent adhesion to these materials.

The polymers used to form the coating are soft, high tensile strength, high elongation, abrasion resistant polymers. Preferred polymers have a hardness of 10-40 Shore A (AST
M D-2240), 400-1700 psi tensile strength (ASTM D-
412), 200-1400 percent elongation and 50-40
It has a tear resistance of 0 pli (measured according to ASTM D-624). Most preferred are polymers having a hardness at the lower end of this hardness range and an elongation at the upper end of the elongation range.

Examples of polymers include natural or synthetic rubber elastomers, such as oil-modified styrene / ethylene-butylene / styrene block copolymers, highly plasticized polyvinyl chloride elastomers, silicone rubbers, crosslinked acrylic polymers and polyurethane elastomers. Although preferred for glove applications, polymers that give excellent peel adhesion to other surfaces are from Acrylic Em by Union Carbide Co.
It is a crosslinked acrylic polymer such as that sold as ulsion # 874. This material is preferably heat cured and temperatures of 150-350 ° F are usually sufficient. Oil modified styrene / ethylene-butylene / styrene block copolymer is a trademark of Shell Chemical Company Kraton G-2706.
May be sold as. Kraton G-270
6 has a hardness of 28 Shore A, a tensile strength of 850, an elongation of 950%, and a tear resistance of 140 pli.

The contact surface is coated by applying the polymer in the form of a dispersed solution or emulsion. For example, a natural or synthetic rubber dispersion or solution is applied to the contact surface and then air dried or heat cured. The highly plasticized polyvinyl chloride is applied in the form of a solution or plastisol dispersion and then air dried or heat cured. Liquid silicone rubber is 100% solids and is applied at room temperature with a vulcanization catalyst. The soft, tacky, crosslinkable acrylic polymer is applied as a water emulsion, dried and heat cured. The polyurethane elastomer is applied in solution or in two components and the 100% solids reactive mixture is applied using a machine with suitable metering and mixing equipment. In all cases, the polymer is a coating on the surface of the product being treated, not an impregnant.

For styrene / ethylene-butylene / styrene block copolymers, Kraton G-2706 pellets are preferably dissolved in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent such as ethylbenzene, toluene or xylene at 10-45% solids. If a low viscosity soaking solution is desired, a low solids mixture is preferred. A high solids mixture is used to minimize impregnation into the porous chamber material. Kraton G-2706 shears solvent softened polymer pellets against, for example, a tightly mounted blade by high temperature, high shear mixing, which results in sufficient friction heat (1
It is melted by using an Arde-Barinco homogenizer with a sharp rotating blade that generates 50 ° F.) and completely dissolves the polymer. The coating solution thus formed is
It is then applied without a primer to the contact surface, for example directly or on a molded Kraton grip. In other embodiments, where the grip or handle is made of wood, metal, or rubber, a separate coating of primer is required or is covered to ensure adhesion of the polymeric coating to the contact surface. A soft polymer having good adhesion to is selected for the coating material.

The Kraton G-2706 containing solution may be applied directly to a porous leather or cloth which has good adhesion. Other glove materials such as waterproof carburetor skins or polyurethane foam coated fabrics may require a separate primer coat or other pretreatment. The coating solution may be applied either before or after processing the material into gloves. One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to determine without particular experimentation the particular conditions required for a particular application.

In one embodiment, the solution or dispersion contains other ingredients such as pigments. It is an unexpected advantage of the present invention that excellent adhesion of the pigmented coating is obtained when the pigmented coating solution of the invention is applied to molded Kraton grip substrates.

By the method of the present invention, it is possible to use injection-molded Kraton grips having a depression pattern on their surface to form coatings and decorated grips with good adhesion and attractive decorative patterns. is there. A coating solution, for example a pigmented Kraton ethylbenzene solution, is first applied thinly in the depressions of the grip, and then the excess coating solution is removed from the surface, for example by wiping with mineral spirits, to give an attached decorative pattern.

The coating solution is applied to the contact surface in a continuous or discontinuous pattern. In some embodiments, the coating solution is applied so as to evenly cover the entire contact surface. In other embodiments, raised features such as spots, polka dots, lines, etc. are applied to form on the contact surface. For example, in a preferred method of forming a raised shape from an ethylbenzene coating solution containing Kraton G-2706, a uniform coating is applied from a low solids content solution and then a polka dot shape from a high solids content solution.

The soft, elastomeric coating increases the coefficient of friction of the contact surface and reduces slippage. When both the handle or grip and the glove are coated according to the present invention, the high coefficient of friction provided by the contact of the two soft polymer surfaces provides maximum control and minimum slip with minimal grip (ie in sports). Enables a soft touch).

To increase the abrasion resistance of the adhesive coating and to impart roughness or feel to the contact surface, in some embodiments, the substrate surface is covered with a layer of woven fabric prior to applying the coating. For example, a length of knit or woven tubular gauze is overlaid onto the Kraton golf grip and then impregnated with the Kraton G-2706 ethylbenzene coating solution. Optionally colored Kr
Apply a final coating of aton solution.

In order to maximize the coefficient of friction of the contact surface,
A tacky polymer, such as Union Carbide Company's crosslinkable acrylic polymer emulsion (usually used in pressure sensitive adhesives), is dried and heat cured on the handle and / or glove surface to temporarily (but easily) cure the two surfaces. Give a bond.

Obviously, the contact between the coated glove and the coated grip, regardless of the composition used, is not permanent, but easily peels off. The coefficient of friction of each of the treated surfaces is enhanced to allow releasable contact after sufficient drying. High coefficient of friction is achieved by (a) applying a soft polymer to one or both contact surfaces, (b)
By applying a soft tacky (pressure sensitive adhesive type such as crosslinkable acrylic) polymer to one or both contact surfaces, or (c) a soft tacky polymer on one of the contact surfaces and a soft tacky polymer on the other. It is obtained by coating. The following example illustrates the invention. These are not limiting.

Example 1 150 g Kraton G-2706, 600 g ethylbenzene and 45 g
A 19% polymer solid pigment coating solution was formed by mixing the titanium dioxide pigments in Example 1 in an Arde-Barinco homogenizer mixer until the temperature of the solution reached 150 ° F and the Kraton polymer was completely dissolved. This coating solution was then applied to a Kraton G-2706 golf grip that was injection molded and had a dimple pattern on its surface. The pigmented Kraton ethylbenzene coating solution was spread over the recess of the grip using a doctor blade and then excess coating solution was removed from the surface by wiping with mineral spirits. The grip thus coated was dried at room temperature. The resulting grip had a discontinuous white colored decorative pattern, which had excellent adhesion to the surface of the Kraton grip.

Example 2 100 g Kraton G-2706, 600 g ethylbenzene and 45 g
The method of Example 1 was repeated except that a 13% polymer solid pigment coating solution was formed from the titanium dioxide pigment of. The resulting grip had a discontinuous white colored decorative pattern, which had excellent adhesion to the surface of the Kraton grip.

Example 3 Arde with 200 g of Kraton G-2706 and 600 g of ethylbenzene.
-The temperature of the solution is 150 in the Barinco homogenizer mixer.
A 25% polymer solid pigment coating solution was formed by mixing until the temperature reached ° F and the Kraton polymer was completely dissolved. The coating solution was then applied to suede carburetor sheepskin gloves. The Kraton ethylbenzene coating solution was brushed onto the contact surface of the glove and dried at room temperature to form a clear continuous coating. The contact surface of the resulting glove had a higher coefficient of friction than the untreated glove.

Example 4 300 g Kraton G-2706, 400 g ethylbenzene and 30 g
A 41% polymer solid pigment coating solution was formed by mixing the titanium dioxide pigments in Example 1 in an Arde-Barinco homogenizer mixer until the temperature of the solution reached 150 ° F and the Kraton polymer was completely dissolved. The coating solution was then applied to suede carburetor sheepskin gloves. The coating solution was applied to the contact surface of the glove in the form of white 1/16 inch beads with a caulking gun. The gloves thus coated were dried at room temperature. The contact surface of the resulting glove had a higher coefficient of friction than the untreated glove.

Example 5 150 g Kraton G-2706, 600 g ethylbenzene and 40 g
No. 318 Black Iron Oxide Pigment of # 318 was mixed in an Arde-Barinco homogenizer mixer until the temperature of the solution reached 150 ° F and the Kraton polymer was completely dissolved to form a 19% polymer solid pigment coating solution.

The coating solution was then applied to a substrate formed from Kraton G-2706 golf grips covered with woven tubular gauze. Then colored
The Kraton ethylbenzene coating solution was applied to the substrate by brushing. The grip thus coated was dried at room temperature. The resulting grip had additional roughness and feel when compared to the molded grip, and the continuous black coating showed superior wear resistance compared to the grip with the coating but without the gauze.

Example 6 625 g Kraton G-2706, 2500 g ethylbenzene, 42 g
The method of Example 1 was repeated except that a coating solution was formed from Ciba 4YLN pigment, 12 g Ciba LGLD pigment and 104 g titanium oxide pigment. The resulting grip has a discontinuous green colored decorative pattern, which is Krat.
on The surface of the grip had excellent adhesion.

Example 7 625 g Kraton G-2706, 2500 g ethylbenzene and 60
The method of Example 1 was repeated except that a coating solution was formed from g of Ciba Irgalite # 3RS pigment. The resulting grip has a discontinuous red colored decorative pattern,
This pattern had excellent adhesion to the surface of the Kraton grip.

Example 8 625 g Kraton G-2706, 2500 g ethylbenzene, 208 g
The method of Example 1 was repeated except that a coating solution was formed from Harshaw Cadmium Selenide # 1465 and 250 g of titanium oxide pigment. The resulting grip has a discontinuous yellow colored decorative pattern, which is Krat.
on The surface of the grip had excellent adhesion.

Example 9 It was found that the solvent based coating solution of Example 3 did not adhere to waterproof carburetor leather gloves or polyurethane foam coated fabric gloves. However, the replacement of soft, tacky, crosslinkable acrylic polymer emulsions provides excellent adhesion and a high coefficient of friction to the glove surface.

Example 10 The handle portion of an aluminum baseball bat is used as a Union Carbid
e Coated with UCAL latex # 874 (crosslinkable acrylic polymer emulsion), then air dried and heat cured at 300 ° F for 10 minutes. The contact surface obtained was soft and tacky.

Example 11 Suede carburetor sheepskin gloves were coated on the hands as described in Example 3 and air dried. The resulting non-slip (but easily debonding) bond between the two contact surfaces dramatically improved the properties.

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. Hardness of 10-40 Shore A, 400-1700ps
i Tensile strength, 200-1400 percent elongation and 50-400
Coated contact surfaces having a high coefficient of friction, including contact surfaces coated with polymers having pli tear resistance. 2. The coated contact surface of claim 1, wherein the polymer is a crosslinked acrylic polymer, plasticized polyvinyl chloride elastomer, silicone rubber, or polyurethane elastomer. 3. The coated contact surface of claim 1, wherein the polymer is a crosslinked acrylic polymer. 4. The coated contact surface of claim 1, wherein the contact surface is a molded oil-modified, styrene / ethylene-butylene / styrene block copolymer. 5. The coated contact surface of claim 4, further comprising a shaped copolymer having a mating pattern on its surface. 6. A coating further comprising a pigment,
The coated contact surface of claim 1. 7. A coating further comprising a pigment,
The coated contact surface of claim 4. 8. A coating further comprising a pigment,
The coated contact surface of claim 5. 9. The contact surface is a glove surface.
Coated contact surface as described. 10. The coated contact surface of claim 9, wherein the contact surface is leather. 11. The contact surface is harder than the coating,
The coated contact surface of claim 1. 12. The coated contact surface of claim 1, wherein the contact surface is covered with a woven fabric soaked with the coating. 13. The coating of claim 1, wherein the coating is continuous.
Coated contact surface as described. 14. The coated contact surface of claim 1, wherein the coating is discontinuous. 15. Hardness of 10-40 Shore A, 400-1700
Tensile strength in psi, 200-1400 percent elongation and 50-
A polymer with a tear resistance of 400 pli is dissolved in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent at 10-45% solids by high temperature, high shear mixing, and the coating solution thus formed is applied to the contact surface to determine the friction coefficient of this contact surface. A method of coating a contact surface, comprising enhancing and thoroughly drying the contact surface thus treated to enable releasable contact with other surfaces. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the contact surface is a molded oil-modified, styrene / ethylene-butylene / styrene block copolymer. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising a shaped copolymer having an interlocking pattern on its surface. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethylbenzene, toluene and xylene. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the coating solution comprises a pigment. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the coating solution comprises a pigment. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the coating solution comprises a pigment. 22. The method of claim 15, wherein the contact surface is a glove surface. 23. The method of claim 15, wherein the contact surface is leather. 24. The contact surface is harder than the coating,
The method according to claim 15. 25. The method of claim 15, wherein the contact surface comprises a woven fabric impregnated with the coating. 26. The coating of claim 1, wherein the coating is continuous.
5. The method described in 5. 27. The method of claim 15, wherein the coating is discontinuous.