EP2131693B1 - Fixing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A fixing system has at least one adhesion closure part (9) which can be fixed by its fixing side (7) onto the free side (19) of a fixing part (11). The other functional side of the fixing part is at least partially provided with an active substance (15) which can be activated. When activated, the substance forms a fixing connection with the fixing side (5) of a third part (1,3).

Description

The invention relates to a fixing system consisting of at least one adhesive closure part, which can be fixed with its fixing side on the free side of a fixing part, the other side of action is provided with an activatable active substance at least partially, which activates a fixing connection with the fixing side of a third party , wherein the active substance is activated by heating. In such fixing systems, a component of a composite consisting of several parts is formed by at least one adhesive closure part.

Such a fixing system is off US 4,822,443 known. The known fixing system comprises a hook-shaped elements having fastening material and a metal foil, which are connected to each other via a first layer of a thermoplastic adhesive. On a bottom side of the metal foil opposite the hook-shaped elements of the fastening material, the composite can be connected to a third part, such as a fabric, via a second layer of thermoplastic adhesive. To form the adhesive bond between the individual layers or layers, the electrically conductive metal foil is connected to a voltage source and in this way the thermoplastic adhesive is melted to form an adhesive bond. In the US Patent mentioned further discloses a device for connecting the individual layers or layers, wherein arranged on the outside of a rotating roller contact pins penetrate into the layer composite and cause the desired adhesive bond by heating the adhesive.

US 4,822,658 discloses a fixing system for a carpet, which is characterized by upper loops on an upper side of the carpet and lower loops on an underside of the carpet. About a connection position, the upper loops holding top and the bottom loops holding the bottom are firmly connected. With the lower loops, the carpet can be fixed to a floor surface. The bonding layer may be formed of latex or foam. The advantage of this fixing system is that it can be dispensed with a separate pad for the carpet. The connecting layer is free of reinforcing strips, so that the carpet can be easily cut through, in particular can be tailored to a floor surface auszulegende.

In fixing systems, in principle, the problem of forming a firm and secure connection between the Verhakungsseite opposite Festlegeseite the adhesive fastener parts involved and an associated further part of the composite to be formed. The formation of this compound is in all cases difficult or not sufficiently safe to produce, if the nature (surface structure) of the relevant system part is not suitable to install the usually self-adhesive fixing side of the fastener part. In particular, this problem arises when the system components concerned are foam parts, textile-surface parts or other system parts with a surface structuring, which are unsuitable for the gluing of a fastener part with self-adhesive fixing side.

According to the prior art, the procedure in these cases is that an adhesive bond is produced in such a way that a liquid or spreadable solvent-containing adhesive is applied to the fixing side of the fastener part and the other part involved, for example, brushed, after which, after a certain venting time , the adhesive closure part is laminated to the fixing side of the relevant part. Because of the evaporation of the solvent, the use of such adhesives containing, for example, nitrile rubber in a solvent is extremely problematic. Since the use of such fixing systems often takes place within at least partially closed rooms, evaporating solvent leads to health impairments and damage to the staff, up to consciousness clouding. It is therefore in some cases forced to provide protective measures, for example, prescribed work breaks, forced ventilation or provide respiratory protective equipment for the staff.

In view of this, the object of the invention is to provide a locking system which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a fixing system having the features of claim 1 in its entirety. According to the characterizing part of claim 1, the third part is a useful part in the form of a cover, which has one of its Festlegeseite opposite usable surface, wherein the fixing part with at least one ribbon-like web a fabric forming the carrier for the active substance forms, which is provided on at least one side with the active substance.

A significant feature of the invention is accordingly that instead of a bond between the fixing side of the fastener part and the system part to be attached thereto by means of solvent adhesive a fixing member is used as an intermediate element is provided on its active side with an active substance, which when activated a fixing connection with the fixing side of the relevant system part is received, with which the adhesive closure part is to be connected, wherein the active substance can be activated by heating. The fixing part connected to the third part by activating its active substance thus forms a system element by which the problematic surface structure of the third part is conditioned such that the conventionally self-adhesive fastener part can be attached by gluing to the free side of the fixing part, the connection in turn carried out without solvent.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the third part may be a floor or wall cover. In a particularly advantageous manner, the fixing system can be used here as a laying system, wherein at least one carpet or a carpet tile is provided with a carpet forming the useful surface and a carpet forming the fixing side as the cover. Since the laying of covers such as carpets or tiles usually takes place in closed rooms, the possibility of solvent-free working is a particularly valuable advantage. After attaching the fixing part, for example, on a carpet back, its Festlegeseite is conditioned so that the fixing part in an usually self-adhesive finished fastener part can be glued, wherein the compound is again solvent-free. The so prepared cover, such as carpet or carpet or wall tile, can then be fixed in the usual manner by hooking with an anchored to the substrate adhesive closure part.

The fixing system according to the invention is not only suitable for covers of the aforementioned type, but for covers of any kind, such as ground protection mats for land and air vehicles, bathroom mats, trunk mats and the like.

As a fixing part may preferably be provided a sheet formed from a plastic film, which is provided on at least one side with the active substance, in particular coated.

The processing is particularly simple when the activatable by heating active substance is selected so that heating to a temperature of less than 150 ° C, preferably less than 140 ° C, is sufficient to activate the active substance. In such a limited temperature range not only the risk is avoided that there is a thermal degradation of fixing part or the back of the third part, but the thermal lamination of the fixing part can also be done in a particularly simple manner by ironing, which can be done without difficulty at the installation site , However, the third parts in question may also be provided with the fixing part in advance by the manufacturer and thus be prepared for laying and brought to the installation site.

As the active substance, a hot melt adhesive has proven to be well suited, which consists of a blend of two thermoplastic materials, which has a softening temperature of not more than 125 ° C.

Suitable thermoplastic materials for this purpose can be selected from the groups of copolyamides, polyethylvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetates, polyolefins, polyurethanes or copolyesters.

The active substance may also be a hot melt adhesive based on synthetic rubber, although processing temperatures in the range of 170 ° C. may result.

The active substance is preferably applied to the fabric provided as a fixing part in an application amount of 80 to 400 g / m ² , preferably about 200 g / m ² .

The handling is particularly simple and convenient when the fixing part is provided so that it consists of two film webs or belts, wherein the substance provided with the active substance side of a film is covered with the second film, which protects the active substance and for the exposure of the active substance is removable.

The invention also provides a method for laying covers using the fixing system according to the invention, wherein the method has the features specified in claim 13 or 14, as well as a system parts of the system according to the invention exhibiting kit with at least the components specified in claim 15.

• Fig. 1 eine stark schematisch vereinfachte Prinzipdarstellung zur Erläuterung des erfindungsgemäßen Systems, wobei Komponenten in Abständen voneinander angeordnet und Einzelheiten übertrieben groß und nicht maßstäblich dargestellt sind, um das Verständnis zu erleichtern;
• Fig. 2 einen schematisch vereinfacht und abgebrochen gezeichneten Schnitt der Komponenten des erfindungsgemäßen Festlegesystems in einer Anwendung als Verlegesystem, wobei die Komponenten in Abständen voneinander angeordnet und Einzelheiten in stark übertrieben großem Maßstab dargestellt sind;
• Fig. 3 einen schematisch vereinfacht und abgebrochen gezeichneten Längsschnitt des Festlegeteiles des erfindungsgemäßen Systems, wobei Materialdicken ebenfalls stark vergrößert dargestellt sind;
• Fig. 4 eine stark schematisch vereinfacht und in übertrieben großem Maßstab gezeichnete perspektivische Schrägansicht eines Teilbereiches eines Mikro-Haftverschlußteiles des erfindungsgemäßen Systems und
• Fig. 5 eine vereinfacht gezeichnete perspektivische Schrägansicht eines Warenbeutels mit darin enthaltenen Systemkomponenten.

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a highly schematically simplified schematic diagram for explaining the system according to the invention, wherein components are arranged at intervals from each other and details are exaggeratedly large and not drawn to scale to facilitate understanding;
• Fig. 2 a schematically simplified and broken drawn section of the components of the fixing system according to the invention in an application as a laying system, wherein the components are arranged at intervals from each other and details are shown in greatly exaggerated scale;
• Fig. 3 a schematically simplified and broken drawn longitudinal section of the fixing part of the system according to the invention, wherein material thicknesses are also shown greatly enlarged;
• Fig. 4 a highly schematically simplified and drawn in exaggerated scale perspective oblique view of a portion of a micro-fastener part of the system according to the invention and
• Fig. 5 a simplified drawn perspective oblique view of a bag with system components contained therein.

The Fig. 1 The invention will be illustrated with reference to an example, in which a schematically indicated cushion foam part 8 (eg PU foam) of a passenger seat forms the third part of the system, which serves as a support part for an adhesive closure part 9. This adhesive closure part 9 to be attached to the upholstery foam part 8 has a carrier 7, one side of which serves as a fixing side and on the other side thereof / hooking elements 21 (in Fig. 1 not all quantified) are arranged, which can be hooked with Verhakungselementen 22 (also not all quantified) of a further system element, for example with a seat cover 10th

The self-adhesive trained in the usual way on the support 7 of the adhesive closure member 9 is due to the surface structure of the foam pad member 8 with this not easily glued without solvent. It is therefore a conditioning on the Festlegeseite 6 of the foam pad 8 provided. This is done by means of an intended as an intermediate element fixing member 11 which is provided on its active side with an activatable active substance 15 which is activated and, when activated, enters into a connection with the fixing side 6 of the foam foam part 8. The active side opposite free side 19 of the fixing part 11, on which no surface contouring is provided, allows the immediate, solvent-free adhesion of the fastener part 9. The attachment of the fixing part 11 provided on the third cushion foam part 8 by activating the active substance 15, which takes place thermally, what will be discussed later leads to a conditioning on the fixing side 6 of the foam pad part 8, so that the adhesive closure part 9 can be attached without solvent.

Fig. 2 shows in an enlarged, highly schematically simplified representation of a section of a third part forming cover in the form of a floor carpet, whose effective surface has pile elements 1 of the usual type, which extend from a connecting layer 3 upwards. The utility area opposite carpet backing 5 is formed by a loopless material. For this purpose, materials come into question, which give the carpet structure a certain rigidity, directional stability and cut resistance. in this connection it may be loose leno or plain right / left knits or so-called non-woven materials. Between the back of the carpet 5 and the carrier 7 of a fastener part 9 is a fixing part 11, the in Fig. 2 is shown at a distance from the back of the carpet 5 and the carrier 7 of the fastener part 9, wherein in Fig. 2 the fixing member 11 is shown in its processing state, wherein a protective film 13, see Fig. 3 , has already been superseded. As Fig. 3 shows, the fixing member 11 forms a belt-like web with a carrier for an active substance 15 forming sheet, which is in the illustrated embodiment, a heat-resistant plastic film 17 made of polyester. Fig. 3 shows the release or protective film 13 only partially detached from the active substance 15 having side of the film 17th

The free side 19 of the film 17 of the fixing part 11 is in Fig. 2 shown at a distance from the carrier 7 of the adhesive closure part 9. Ie. Fig. 2 shows the state before formation of a bond between adhesive closure part 9 and backing 5. This composite is produced by pressing fixing part 11 and backing 5 against each other while heating the active substance 15 is performed, whereby it is activated so that in a solvent-free joining a firm connection between fixing part 11 and backing 5 takes place. For this purpose, a so-called hot melt adhesive is provided as the active substance 15, the nature of which is selected such that the activation takes place already by heating to a moderate temperature range in which no thermal impairment of the system components involved occurs. As suitable active substances which allow processing in temperature ranges of less than 150 ° C, have blends of thermoplastics proven, especially blends, the softening temperatures of not more than 125 ° C. Such blends make it possible to perform the activation of the substance 15 by pressing the fixing member 11 to the carpet back 5 with a heated tool or punch whose tool temperature is in the range of about 150 ° C. This means that the connection between the fixing part 11 and backing 5 can be made by ironing, which is possible without difficulty at the installation site.

Thermoplastic substances which are suitable as constituents of such blends are, for example, copolyamides, polyethylvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetates, polyolefins, polyurethanes or copolyesters.

As hotmelt adhesives, those based on synthetic rubber may also be used, it being necessary to reckon with comparatively slightly higher processing temperatures.

As application rates of the hot melt adhesives on the film 17 of the fixing part 11 are preferably applied by coating amounts of 80 to 400 g / m ² , preferably of 200 g / m ² , into consideration.

The so defined on the back of carpet 5 fixing part 11 allows on its free side 19 the sticking of a customary manner on the back of its support 7 self-adhesive fastener part 9. This points in the representation of Fig. 2 for the binding with the further adhesive closure part anchored to the ground, for example the ground, adhesive elements in the form of loops 21. For the formation of the fastener with such a fastener part 9 come as a base-side or bottom-side fastener part several types of fastener parts in question, for example, micro-fastener parts, of which Fig. 4 a exemplary embodiment is shown and designated by 23. Micro-fastener parts, as for example by means of in DE 198 28 856 C1 have been described, have a film-like support 25, which is formed for example of polyolefins or blends of polyamides and from the top projecting stems 27, which in Fig. 4 not all are quantified. The thickened ends of the stems 27 form mushroom-shaped or plate-shaped heads 29, which are not all quantified in the figure and which form the releasable entanglement during the laying process with the loops 21 on the adhesive closure part 9. The packing density in which the stems 27 are provided on the carrier 25 depends on the mechanical structure and the fineness of the structure of the adhesive elements provided on the adhesive closure part 9. It is understood that instead of the loops 21 shown here, other types of structures can be provided, for example similar mushroom-shaped or plate-like heads on stalks, as provided in the base-side adhesive closure part 23. Depending on the fineness of the structures, the packing density can be several hundred adhesive elements / cm ² , wherein the thickness of the carrier 25 can be approximately in the range of 0.5 mm. Other packing densities and / or thicknesses of the carrier 25 may, of course, be considered depending on the particular circumstances.

The selected different design of the adhesive elements on the base-side adhesive closure member 23 and the other adhesive closure member 9 makes it possible to adjust the adhesion as desired so that when a new installation of the cover is to be made, a lift is possible without the underground adhesive fastener 23 is lifted off , which allows a relocation to remaining adhesive closure member 23.

If a particularly high adhesive effect is desired, for example if a new laying is not an option, 29 drops of adhesive 31 (in FIG Fig. 4 also not all quantified) may be applied, for example by brushing or doctoring, to effect after the Verhakungseingriff with the adhesive closure part 9, an additional bond. Suitable adhesives are, for example, acrylate-based pressure-sensitive adhesives.

Instead of the illustrated structures of the adhesive elements on the fastener closure parts 9 and 23, structures may be provided as in DE 103 25 372 C1 that is, adhesive members formed of single fibers extending from the free end of stems on which no hooking heads are formed. As described in the cited document, in this case several thousand stems / cm ² carrier surface can be provided, whereby per stem preferably about 500 individual fibers are provided. As a plastic material from which the individual stems and their individual fibers are formed, especially plastics with long molecular chains and a good orientation behavior come into question.

The Fig. 5 shows in schematically simplified form a salable kit containing the main components of the system according to the invention in a bag 33. This is designed in the manner of a conventional plastic bag with easily openable closure strip 35. In the bag 33 is rolled up into a roll 37, the base-side adhesive closure member 23, rolled up to a second winding 39, the cover part associated adhesive closure member 9 and, rolled up to a third coil 41, a corresponding length of the fixing member 11 in its initial state at in which the active substance 15 carrying film 17 with removable protective film 13 is considered.

• Ammonium Phosphat (AP),
• Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP),
• Aluminium Trihydroxid (ATH),
• Magnesium Hydroxid (MDH),
• Resorcinol bis-Diphenylphosphat (PDP),
• Roter Phosphor (RP),
• Tri-n-butyl Phosphat (TBP),
• Tricresyl Phosphat (TCP),
• Triphenyl Phosphat (TPP),
• Melamin.

The indicated setting system can also be formed in the manner of a flame-retardant closure, wherein the entire adhesive closure part 9 or components thereof consists of materials which are flame retardant, wherein the pertinent flame retardant materials may be formed in the manner of an active extinguishing medium or pertinent active Extinguishing substances include, which can be applied to the respective adhesive closure part 9 in the manner of a coating. It has proved particularly advantageous to select such materials from the following substance groups:

• Ammonium phosphate (AP),
• Ammonium polyphosphate (APP),
• Aluminum Trihydroxide (ATH),
• Magnesium hydroxide (MDH),
• Resorcinol bis-diphenyl phosphate (PDP),
• Red phosphorus (RP),
• Tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP),
• Tricresyl phosphate (TCP),
• Triphenyl phosphate (TPP),
• Melamine.

Also in the carrier tape of the fastener part 9 nano-particles may be incorporated, such as silicates or graphite, which also act flame retardant. Also, it would be possible to introduce entrapped nitrogen gas, such as nano-particles, into the fastener part 9 so as to obtain an active quenching medium via an inert gas.

Claims (15)

1. A fixing system, consisting of at least one adhesive closure part (9) which can be fixed with its fixing side (7) to the free side (19) of a fixing part (11), the other active side of which is at least partially provided with an activatable active substance (15) which, when activated, establishes a fixing connection to the fixing side (5; 6) of a third part (1, 3; 5), the active substance (15) being activatable by heating, characterised in that the third part is a useful part in the form of a covering (1, 3, 5) which has a useful surface (1, 3) opposite its fixing side (5), and that the fixing part (11) forms at least one strip-type web with a surface structure forming the carrier for the active substance (15) and which is provided on at least one side with the active substance (15).
2. The fixing system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the third part is a floor or wall covering.
3. The fixing system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that as a covering, at least one carpet (1, 3, 5) or carpet tile with a carpet side (1) forming the useful surface and a carpet back forming the fixing side (5) is provided.
4. The fixing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surface structure is formed from a plastic film (17).
5. The fixing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surface structure is coated on at least one side with the active substance (15).
6. The fixing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an active substance (15) activatable by heating to a temperature of less than 150°, preferably less than 140°C, is provided.
7. The fixing system according to Claim 6, characterised in that the active substance (15) consists of a blend of two thermoplastic materials which has a softening temperature of no more than 125°C.
8. The fixing system according to Claim 7, characterised in that the thermoplastic materials are chosen from the groups of the copolyamides, polyethyl vinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetates, polyolefins, polurethanes or copolyesters.
9. The fixing system according to Claim 6, characterised in that a hot-melt adhesive based on synthetic rubber is provided as an active substance (15).
10. The fixing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the active substance (15) is applied to the surface structure (17) in an application amount of 80 to 400 g/m², preferably approximately 200 g/m².
11. The fixing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surface structure (17) provided or coated with the active substance (15) is thermally stable in the temperature range activating the active substance (15).
12. The fixing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side of the fixing part (11) provided with the active substance (15) is covered with a film (13) protecting the active substance (15) which can be detached in order to expose the active substance (15).
13. A method for installing coverings using the fixing system according to any of the preceding claims comprising the following steps:

    - anchoring at least one adhesive closure part of a type (23) on a base, in particular the floor, in such a way that the adhesive elements are located on the upper side,

    - pressing the fixing part (11) with the side having the exposed active substance (15) onto the fixing side (5) of the covering (1, 3, 5) and heating in order to form, by means of the activated active substance (15), a connection of the fixing part (11) to the fixing side (5) of the covering (1, 3, 5),

    - fixing a further type of adhesive closure part (9) on the free side (19) of the fixing part (11) such that the adhesive elements (21) are exposed, and

    - connecting the adhesive elements of both types of adhesive closure parts (23, 9) in order to fix the respective covering (1, 3, 5) on the base, in particular the floor.
14. The method according to Claim 13, characterised in that the activation of the active substance (15) and the pressing of the fixing part (11) onto the fixing side (5) of the covering (1, 3, 5) is implemented by means of a moveable, heated pressing part, in particular in such a way that the fixing part (11) is pressed onto the fixing side (5) of the covering (1, 3, 5).
15. A kit comprising system parts of the fixing system according to any of Claims 1 to 12, having at least the following components:

    - a closed bag (33) that can be opened in order to put to use,

    - a first spool (41) located in the bag (33) in which a web of the fixing part (11) with active substance (15) applied to one side and with a detachable protective film (13) lying over the latter is rolled up,

    - a second spool (39) located in the bag (33) in which a web of an adhesive closure part (9) of a first type is rolled up, and

    - a third spool (37) located in the bag (33) in which a web of an adhesive closure part (23) of a second type is rolled up .

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