SE2030147A1

SE2030147A1 - A method for increasing the glue areal and shear strength of an assembled element and a pre-assembled element

Info

Publication number: SE2030147A1
Application number: SE2030147A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Henrik Palmu
Original assignee: Jackon As
Priority date: 2020-04-30
Filing date: 2020-04-30
Publication date: 2021-10-31
Also published as: SE544900C2

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for increasing the glue areal (12,13) and shear strength of an assembled element (1,8), wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing a first element (3,) having on a proximal end (3') a recess form for receiving a proximal end (2') of a second element (2), applying a curable adhesive material in the contact area of one or both of the recess of the first element (3) and the area of the proximal end of the second element (2) intended for being received by the recess of the first element (3), bringing the proximal end (2') of the second element (2) into and in contact with the recess of the first element (3), and curing the adhesive material. The disclosure further relates to a preassembled element (1, 1').

Description

A method for increasing the glue areal and shear strength of an assembled element and apre-assembled element Technical field The present disclosure relates to a method for increasing the glue areal and shear strength of an assembled element and a pre-assembled element of expanded or extrudedpolystyrene for the building industry. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a method forincreasing the glue areal and shear strength of an assembled element and a pre-assembled element as defined in the introductory parts of claim 1 and claim 10.

Background art Expanded polystyrene, EPS and extruded polystyrene, XPS, is used commonly to form buildingblock in the building industry. The material has high isolation capability, it is light and it iseasily formed to be adapted to a wide variety of requirements. lt is however a problem thatthe material brakes easily. This is specifically a problem if the material is used in pre-formedshapes, such as for example L-form and U-form. Such elements are used for example in coldlocations experiencing periods with ground frost. There is thus a need for extra isolation in thebase of the wall, not only offering isolation in the wall, but also in the floor adjacent to thewall. When adding Concrete to make the floor inside a building where such L- or U-formelements defines the perimeter ofthe building, the Concrete will push with considerable forceon the vertical inner part of the elements, and the pushing force is proportional to the depthof the Concrete layer. lf the forces becomes too large the element will break, and this is aconsiderable problem since a breakage in the isolation will weaken the isolation capability ofthe wall. One example of this type of pre-shaped element is the Siroc® L-shaped element ofJackon AS.

A lot of care has to be put into the building process to avoid such damages.

A further drawback of the L- U- and other forms elements is that they are prone to bedamaged in transport, and extreme care has to be exercised when transporting such elements.

Summary lt is an objective of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one ormore of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at leastthe above mentioned problem. lt is an objective of the present invention to solve the technical problem stated above.Although the Siroc® L-shaped and U-shaped elements ofJackon AS is used in the examples ofthis document, it is an aim for the invention to solve the same problem for any type of EPS orXPS elements, or similar elements made of other isolation building material. lt is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method for enforcing EPSand XPS and the like elements used for other purposes than building. Pre-formed elements forprotection of shipped goods is one example, Box forms intended for carrying heavy goods isanother example. Although the examples in this description highlight the use of the inventionin building elements, it should be understood that the invention can be used to enforceelements made for other intended use.

The invention is also directed to the manufacturing of improved performance buildingmaterials, specifically building materials of materials such as EPS and XPS and the like.

The present invention comprises a method for enforcing a building element made ofEPS, XPS or similar material. lt is further an objective for the present invention to provide asimple and low resource demanding method for achieving an increased strength in suchbuilding elements. lt is further an objective ofthe present invention to allow usage of lower density EPSand XPS or the like elements due to the enforcement added to the elements as defined by thepresent invention According to a first aspect there is provided a method for increasing the glue areal andshear strength of an assembled element, wherein the method comprises the following steps:providing a first element having on a proximal end a recess form for receiving a proximal endof a second element, applying a curable adhesive material in the contact area of one or bothof the recess of the first element and the area ofthe proximal end of the second elementintended for being received by the recess of the first element, bringing the proximal end of thesecond element into and in contact with the recess ofthe first element, and curing theadhesive material. lncreased glue area will strengthen the binding between the two or more elements, and the shear strength has been tested in this invention development process to increase 3considerably by providing fairly simple area increasing forms of he contact area between theassembled elements.

According to some embodiments, the recess form ofthe proximal end of the firstelement being cut or mi||ed after the element is produced.

According to some embodiments, the recess form ofthe proximal end ofthe firstelement is adapted to the form of the proximal end ofthe second element.

Working with assembled element wherein one part is arranged substantially verticalrelative a second part which is substantially horizontal, and the base form of the element partare substantially rectangular, a simple grinding of a recess in one proximal end ofthe verticalelement will make a recess fitting to receive the proximal end of the horizontal element. Thenthe adhesive that is applied to one ofthe proximal element ends will be constituted of anincreased area. The element, when the adhesive is cured, will thus be a lot stronger than iftheadhesive area were limited by the area ofthe end surface of the proximal end of for examplethe vertical element part.

According to some embodiments, the method comprises the step: providing a mirrorform on the proximal end of the second element for adapting to and increasing the contactarea with the proximal end of the first element.

According to some embodiments the recess form ofthe proximal end of the firstelement is adapted to the mirror form ofthe proximal end of the second element, and theform is further provided in a form maximizing the contact area between the two elements.

To even further increase the glue area it may be advantageous to create a grindingrecess in both elements that is to be merged together, recesses that is mirror shapes such thatwhen the adhesive is applied and the elements are pressed together, the adhesive materialarea is increased and so is the strength of the connection.

According to some embodiments the first element is provided with an outer surface layer 4,and the recess form of the first element being partly defined by the inside of the surface layer,and partly by the proximal end of the first element.

According to some embodiments, the curable adhesive material is glue.

According to some embodiments, the curable adhesive material is hot melt glue or apolymer compound.

According to some embodiments, the elements are made of a building materiel of EPS or XPS or the like material.

According to some embodiments, the application of the curable adhesive material andthe assembly of the elements are performed by a robot machine.

According to a second aspect there is provided a pre-assembled element, wherein theelement comprising: a first and a second element fitted together in their respective proximalend, and a curable adhesive material layer, wherein the first element having on its proximalend a recess form for receiving the proximal end of a second element and for increasing thecontact area with the proximal end of a second element, and the curable adhesive materiallayer is arranged between the two elements in the recess form for enforcement ofthe jointwhen the curing material has cured.

According to some embodiments, the second element having on its proximal end amirror form for adapting to and for further increasing the contact area with the proximal endof the first element.

According to some embodiments, the first element having one or more furtherrecesses in a form for receiving the proximal end of one or more further second elements.

According to some embodiments, to 11, wherein the pre-assembled element is an L-,U-, or F-formed element, and the element is further a building materiel of EPS or XPS or thelike material.

According to some embodiments, the pre-formed element is an L-, U-, or F-formedelement and the element is elements combined to form a building element, carrier, containeror box.

According to some embodiments, the first element comprise an outer surface layer,and the recess form of the first element being partly defined by the inside of the surface layer,and partly by the proximal end of the first element.

According to some embodiments, it is provided further recesses and protrusions in therespective proximal ends of the first and the second element, for increasing the area to whichan adhesive can be applied in the connection between the two elements.

Effects and features of the second aspect are to a large extent analogous to thosedescribed above in connection with the first aspect. Embodiments mentioned in relation tothe first aspect are largely compatible with the the second aspect.

The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description givenbelow. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the 5detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of thedisclosure.

Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to theparticular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described sincesuch device and method may vary. lt is also to be understood that the terminology usedherein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting. lt should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, thearticles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of theelements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "aunit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words"comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elementsor steps.

TerminologyThe term "Recess" is to be interpreted as a form cut from an element, or a rom of increasedglue surface for example comprised of a portion of an element and a portion of a front plate.EPS, XPS: Expanded polystyrene, EPS and extruded polystyrene, XPS, is used in this document,but shall also comprise other similar building materials typically used in forming buildingelements with high isolation capacity; examples are Polyisocyanurate lnsulation I\/|aterials, andPolyurethane lnsulation Materials.

Glue: Glue shall mean any type ofglue, polymer, polyester resin, epoxy, vinylester,thermoplastic or other, applied in layer or mixed with a fiberglass component, comprising theability to either harden and provide a solid enforcement of the material it is applied to by itsown, or to fix and/or mix with a strip or spray of enforcement/armoring material when it isapplied to surface (joint).

L- or U-formed element: L- or U-formed element is used as example shapes of the buildingelements in this application, but it shall also comprise other forms offering an inside corner orjoint exposable to shear forces when used or transported. The forms may be produced fromseveral parts forming joints when assembled in the final form, or they may beextruded/expanded into the final form in one piece.

The invention will now be described in more detail. Reference numbers referring to the samein the figures are included to make the understanding of the invention more readable. The protection scope ofthe invention is defined by the associated claims.

Brief descriptions of the drawings The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of thepresent disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative andnon-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1A-F shows perspective figures of the assembled building element according tosome embodiments ofthe present invention.

Figure 1G-H illustrates further connecting elements for expanding the adhesive areabetween the two elements Figure 2 shows a picture of two building elements; the upper one according to presentinvention, and the bottom one representing prior art.

Figure 3 shows a perspective figure of the assembled building element according to afurther embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a perspective figure of the assembled building element according to afurther embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a perspective figure of the assembled building element according to afurther embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates how building elements of present invention may be assembled andused for building a portion o fa ring wall.

Figure 7A-C illustrates how building elements of present invention may be assembledand used in the construction of buildings.Detailed description The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Thedisclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limitedto the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fullyconvey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

Figure 1 - 7 illustrates how the pre-assembled element of present invention may beprovided. Typically the EPS, XPS element is used when building in areas experiencing frost inthe ground 10, examples are the Nordic countries where the winters are very cold, and the ground freezes solid in the top soil level 11, typically the upper 0 - 1 m layer of the ground.

Typical embodiments are shown in figure 1A and 1B, wherein the elements having ahorizontal leg 2 forming the basis for a layer of concrete 6, and a vertical leg 3 having an insidesurface facing towards and coming in contact with the concrete 6 forming the floor inside thebuilding. Figure 6 shows also a corner element 1' of an L-formed element. The illustratedelements may also comprise an optional outer surface layer 4, the outer surface layer 4 maybe one or more of a concrete compound material, material forming a basis for applying afurther layer or attaching further elements, material for temperature and/or damp isolation,or material and/or structure for the purpose of exhibiting a visual design, and the like.

The first aspect of this disclosure shows a method for increasing the glue areal 12,13and shear strength of an assembled element 1,8, wherein the method comprises the followingsteps: providing a first element 3, having on a proximal end 3' a recess form for receiving aproximal end of a second element 2, applying a curable adhesive material in the contact areaof one or both of the recess ofthe first element 3 and the area ofthe proximal end ofthesecond element 2 intended for being received by the recess ofthe first element 3, bringing theproximal end of the second element 2 into and in contact with the recess of the first element3, and curing the adhesive material.

By creating a much larger contact area between the two elements it is possible tomake the corresponding glue area larger , and hence, a stronger binding between the twoelements are provided, since a glued connection is considerably stronger than the elementitself. ln a further aspect the recess form ofthe proximal end ofthe first and/or secondelements 3 are being cut or milled after the elements are produced.

Producing process of EPS; XPS elements comprise extrusion material in a form. Thesimpler the form the faster the extrusion production process. lt is therefore desirable toproduce simple forms, such as rectangular/square shaped forms, and if a special shape of anelement is required this may later be cut/milled in a post extrusion process. However, if acomplex pattern is required it may be advantageous to make an extrusion form defining thecomplex pattern. ln present invention there may be provided a variety of forms to increase the brakingstrength of a combined element, such as exemplified in the figures 1A-1H, 3, 4 and 5. Other forms may be provided within the inventive concept of the present invention. ln a further aspect the recess form 3',4 of the proximal end ofthe first element 3 isadapted to the form of the proximal end of the second element 2.

The |atter explains how the contact area between the two elements may be increased,and depending on which element is taking the largest strain when in use, different recess form3',4 patterns may be advantageously be used. ln a further aspect a mirror form 2' on the proximal end of the second element 2 isprovided for adapting to and increasing the contact area 12 with the proximal end ofthe firstelement 3 is necessary for optimizing the glued area strength. ln a further aspect the recess form 3',4 of the proximal end of the first element 3 isadapted to the mirror form 2' of the proximal end of the second element 2, and the form isfurther provided in a form maximizing the contact area 12 between the two elements.

The longer the profile line between the two elements can be made, the larger thecontact area/glue area can be made. ln a further aspect the first element 3 is provided with an outer surface layer 4, and therecess 12 form of the first element 3 being partly defined by the inside of the surface layer 4,and partly by the proximal end 3' of the first element 3.

By including a surface layer 4 of any form, such as one or more of a concretecom pound material, material forming a basis for applying a further layer or attaching furtherelements, material for temperature and/or damp isolation, or material and/or structure forthe purpose of exhibiting a visual design, form the basis for portions of the recess form ofelement 3, the connection between the first element 3, the second element 2, and the surfacelayer 4 may provide an even stronger binding, and the total shear/braking strength of theassembled element may increase even further. ln a further aspect the curable adhesive material is glue. ln a further aspect the curable adhesive material is hot melt glue or a polymercompound. ln a further aspect the elements are made of a building materiel of EPS or XPS or thelike material. ln a further aspect the application ofthe curable adhesive material and the assembly ofthe elements are performed by a robot machine.

The above embodiments refer to the first 3 and the second 2 element having recess and protrusions respectively. lt shall be understood that the present invention also comprise 9embodiments wherein the recess and protruding features are on the opposite elements. Suchthat the second 2 element having the recesses, and teh first 3 element having the proximalend form fitting in the recess ofthe second 2 element.

The second aspect of this disclosure shows a pre-assembled element 1,1',8, whereinthe element comprising: a first 3 and a second 2 element fitted together in their respectiveproximal end, and a curable adhesive material layer, wherein the first element 3 having on itsproximal end a recess form 3',4 for receiving the proximal end of a second element 2 and forincreasing the contact area 12 with the proximal end of a second element 2, and the curableadhesive material layer is arranged between the two elements 3,2 in the recess form 3',4 forenforcement ofthe joint when the curing material has cured.

Present invention thus provides a fabricated element assembly, illustrated by exampleembodiments in figure 1A - 1H, ready to use that comprise a connection between the parts ofthe fabricated elements assembly which is sufficiently strong to resist strain in both transportand usage on for example a building site. The shear strength ofthe connecting area hasincreased due to the adhesive forming a much stronger binding than if an element shouldhave been extruded in a similar shape, or as often seen in industry wherein the elements areglued to each other one element directly on another in one single glueline 19. This is shown infigure 2, where the picture show a side perspective of one embodiment of present invention(above) and one of prior art (below). ln a further aspect of this disclosure shows a pre-assembled element 1,1',8, whereinthe second element 2 having on its proximal end a mirror form 2' for adapting to and forfurther increasing the contact area 12 with the proximal end ofthe first element 3.

Having a stepwise recess/protruding form, such as exemplified in for example figure1E, may be advantageous to provide an even further increased contact area wherein theadhesive can work. ln a further aspect ofthis disclosure shows a pre-assembled element 1,1',8, whereinthe first element having one or more further recesses 13 in a form for receiving the proximalend of one or more further second elements 14.

As seen in figure 7B and 7C further vertical elements are provided with strong gluedconnections to the horizontal element. Other more complicated connected elements havingmore than 3 connecting member may be provided under the same inventive concept as described here. ln a further aspect ofthis disclosure shows a pre-assembled element 1,1',8, whereinthe pre-assembled element is an L-, U-, or F-formed element, and the element is further abuilding materiel of EPS or XPS or the like material. ln a further aspect ofthis disclosure shows a pre-assembled element 1,1',8, whereinthe pre-formed element is an L-, U-, or F-formed element and the element is elementscombined to form a building element, carrier, container or box.

This is one such area wherein more elements are connected together in more complexforms. Extruded material such as EPS /XPS is used in cooling/heating transport lines, asprotection crates, as light weight carrying devices and more. Endurance, reusability andstrength are features that is advantageously affected by using the inventive concept ofpresent invention. ln a further aspect ofthis disclosure shows a pre-assembled element 1,1',8, whereinthe first element 3 comprise an outer surface layer 4, and the recess 12 form of the firstelement 3 being partly defined by the inside ofthe surface layer 4, and partly by the proximalend 3' of the first element 3.

Thus, by including an outer surface layer in the form expanding the adhesive layer areamay provide a considerable larger glue area with less milling/pre-shaping of the elopementhaving the outer surface layer. ln a further aspect ofthe present invention it is provided a connection that furthercom prising further recesses 40'and protrusions 40 in the respective proximal ends 3', 2' of thefirst 3 and the second 2 element, for increasing the area to which an adhesive can be appliedin the connection between the two elements.

Figure 1G and 1H shows two alternatives wherein protruding knots and correspondingrecesses are formed in the connecting areas ofthe elements, but it should be understood thatdifferent number and shapes of such further connecting forms may vary, and may becombined with any of the above discussed area increasing features.

Using the element assembly is exemplified in figure 6 wherein a straight ground wallelement and a ground corner element is shown, and in figure 7A and 7B a side view of twodifferent embodiments (an L-, and an F- element) of the present invention is used inconstruction of a concrete base wall of a building. ln figure 7C the layout of several elements are laid down for later filling of concrete.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to thepreferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes thatmodifications and variations are possible within the scope ofthe appended claims.Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by theskilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study ofthe drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

Claims.

1. Method for increasing the glue areal (12,13) and shear strength of an assembled element (1, 8),wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing a first element (3) having on a proximal end (3') a recess form for receiving a proximal end (2') of asecond element (2), applying a curable adhesive material in the contact area of one or both of the recess of the first element (3)and the area of the proximal end of the second element (2) intended for being received by the recess of thefirst element (3), bringing the proximal end (2') of the second element (2) into and in contact with the recess of the first element(3), and curing the adhesive material.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the recess form of the proximal end of the first and/or second elements (3, 2) are being cut or milled after the elements are produced.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the recess form of the proximal end of the first element (3) is adapted to the form of the proximal end of the second element (2).

4. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the step:providing a recess form on the proximal end of the second element for increasing the contact area (12) with the proximal end of the first element.

5. Method according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein the recess form of the proximal end of the firstelement (3) is adapted to the form of the proximal end of the second element (2), and the form is further provided in a form maximizing the contact area (12) between the two elements.

6. Method according to any one of claim 1 to 5, wherein the first element (3) is provided with an outersurface layer (4), and the recess (12) form of the first element (3) being partly defined by the inside of the surface layer (4), and partly by the proximal end (3') of the first element (3).

7. Method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the curable adhesive material is glue.

8. Method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the curable adhesive material is hot melt glue or a polymer compound.

9. Method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the elements are made of a building materiel of EPS or XPS or the like material.

10. Method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the application of the curable adhesive material and the assembly of the elements are performed by a robot machine.

11. Pre-assembled element (1, 1', 8), wherein the element comprising: a first (3) and a second (2) element fitted together in their respective proximal ends (3', 2'), and a curable adhesive material layer, wherein the first element (3) having on its proximal end (3') a recess (12) form for receiving the proximal end (2') of asecond element (2) and for increasing the contact area (12) with the proximal end of a second element (2), andthe curable adhesive material layer is arranged between the two elements (3, 2) in the recess form (12) for enforcement of the joint when the curing material has cured.

12. Pre-assembled element (1, 1', 8) according to claim 11, wherein the second element (2) having on itsproximal end (2') a recess form for further increasing the contact area (12) with the proximal end (3') of the first element (3).

13. Pre-assembled element (1, 1', 8) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first element having one ormore further recesses (13) in a form for receiving the proximal end of one or more further second elements (14).

14. Pre-assembled element (1, 1', 8) according to any of the previous claims 11 to 13, wherein the pre-assembled element is an L-, U-, or F-formed element, and the element is further a building materiel of EPS or XPS or the like material.

15. Pre-assembled element (1, 1', 8) according to any of the previous claims 11 to 14, wherein the pre-formed element is an L-, U-, or F-formed element and the element is elements combined to form a building element, carrier, container or box.

16. Pre-assembled element (1, 1', 8) according to any of the previous claims 11 to 15, wherein the firstelement (3) comprise an outer surface layer (4), and the recess (12) form of the first element (3) being partly defined by the inside of the surface layer (4), and partly by the proximal end (3') of the first element (3).

17. Pre-assembled element (1, 1', 8) according to any of the previous claims 11 to 15, further comprisingfurther recesses (40') and protrusions (40) in the respective proximal ends (3', 2') of the first (3) and the second(2) element, for increasing the area to which an adhesive can be applied in the connection between the two elements.