DE102008046819A1 - Profile with a strand-shaped, z. B. in the way of extrusion made of WPC material profile body - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a profile (10) with a strand-shaped profile body (14) produced in the path of the extrusion of WPC material (12), the surface (18) of the profile body (14) being provided at least in regions with at least one coating (24, 30 ), which prevents moisture from entering the WPC material (12). The invention also relates to a system (26) with several juxtaposed profiles and also to a method of manufacturing the system.

Description

Background of the invention

The The present invention relates to a profile with a strand-shaped, z. B. made by extrusion of WPC material profile body.

at the so-called known WPC material (WPC is an abbreviation for "Wood Plastic Composites") it is a polymer material with wood fibers or a polymer material, that filled with wood fibers is, wherein the polymer material is usually based on polyolefins and PVC formed polymer material. WPC material is currently in huge Produces quantities, in many cases made of WPC material in the way the extrusion profile body which are used, in particular, as components for floor coverings (decking). are provided, wherein for the production of a floor covering a plurality this profile body be assembled to the flooring.

In spite of the advantageous properties of these profiles, in particular as Components for flooring, WPC material has the disadvantage of being used for a long time in humid environments, has a limited life, such that the WPC material softens the profile and possibly decomposes due to decay processes.

It is known in profile hollow bodies specially prefabricated caps, their shape on the profile geometry is tuned, for closing to use the open profile end faces. The caps should in addition to penetration of moisture into the hollow chamber with accompanying Formation of mold fungi or biofilms in particular also one Insect infestation largely avoided the formation of mold or biofilms even stronger. However, these covers are not moistureproof and can therefore not completely prevent the formation of molds or biofilms.

Further have to the caps specifically to the particular geometry of the profile hollow body or hollow chamber profiles be adjusted. In particular, you can The covers are usually only used when the corresponding cut surfaces the profiles are straight or flat.

Underlying task

Of the The present invention is therefore based on the object, a profile with a string-shaped, z. B. by extrusion, made of WPC material profile body indicate that can be used in humid environments without having to Softening or decomposing the WPC material takes place.

Inventive solution

These Task is according to the invention with a Profile with a strand-shaped, z. B. solved in the way of extrusion made of WPC material profile body, wherein the surface of the profile body at least partially provided with at least one coating, the prevents penetration of moisture into the WPC material.

The Coating avoids moisture penetration into the WPC material so that the profile body according to the invention in particular also as a component of outdoor flooring, such as a patio floor, can be used. (WPC is an abbreviation for "Wood Plastic Composites" and WPC material is a polymer material with wood fibers or a polymer material, that filled with wood fibers is, wherein the polymer material is usually based on polyolefins and PVC formed polymer material.)

The coating according to the invention is preferably made of a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric Material may preferably consist of PP (polypropylene) or SEBS. The polymeric material according to the invention may also at least partially consist of PP or SEBS. In particular, the PP can be a soft PP, such. B. Hifax CA10 from Basell or a SEBS (styrene copolymer) the Fa. Multibase be. The polymeric material may preferably a sufficient elasticity to optionally voltages by different expansion coefficients compensate.

The Coating can, for. B. by coextrusion, on the outer surface of the Profile body applied become. In particular, the coating may be colored by the profile body differ or be optically matched to the profile body.

In one embodiment, the profile body is designed as a profile hollow body having at least one inner surface, wherein the coating is applied to the inner and / or the outer surface. With a profile hollow body is compared to a solid profile or a solid profile body, a significant material and weight savings possible. By means of the coating provided according to the invention, which is applied to at least one inner surface of the profile hollow body, the profile hollow body can be effectively protected from moisture within at least one hollow chamber of the profile hollow body, which is bounded by the at least one inner surface. This is in particular re advantage because it has been found by experiments that in profile hollow bodies made of WPC material takes about 40% of the water absorption through the inner surfaces. Furthermore, the coating also makes it possible, in particular, to effectively protect the WPC material from bacteria and / or insects and / or algae and / or pests that are located within the hollow chamber. The risk of fungal attack can also be significantly reduced by the reduced moisture absorption or by the sealing of the inner surfaces.

Prefers the coating is applied by way of coextrusion. With the while the production of the profile hollow body By coextrusion formed coating according to the invention creates a hollow profile body, its inner surface or surfaces even before the actual application, as for use as a flooring component, in particular are sufficiently protected from moisture. Within the scope of the invention it is natural here too, in addition the outer surface of the profile body to be provided with a coating.

Of the profile body can also be used in accordance with the invention Form of a solid profile or a solid profile body may be formed.

The The invention further relates to a system with several side by side arranged profiles, the profiles in particular in common a flooring for outdoor applications form, and wherein the coating consists of a band-shaped material, applied on the front sides of the adjacent profiles is, so that several profile end faces, in particular open profile end faces, at least partially covered with a single band are.

The inventive system points opposite known systems composed of WPC profiles are the advantage of having several profile end faces at least partially covered with a single band, which especially closes open profile faces. The band-shaped material can - after the individual profiles in particular to form a floor covering next to each other have been arranged - on simple and practical way to be applied to the frontals, much like in a known edge bath, which is applied to a furniture board. In particular, by means of the inventive tape is a comparison to known solutions cost-effective Covering or closing the profile end faces possible, and further, a variety of decorative possibilities can be easily implemented become.

In particular, according to the invention also provided that the band-shaped Material is used in systems with profiles, which have a profile body, which is designed as a solid profile or solid profile body, wherein the band-shaped Material is applied to the front sides of these profiles.

The band-shaped Material is preferably at least partially made of a polymer material, by heating at least partially convertible to a molten state, so that the band-shaped Material flat and by heating cohesively can be connected to the front ends to several profile end faces to cover together with a single volume, and especially open ones To close profile front sides moisture-tight by this band.

The band-shaped Material can usually be spot on the particular application are cut and heated, for example, with hot air, so that a preferably complete cohesive connection or bonding the tape or the band-shaped material with the end faces is feasible. The band-shaped Material can also be punched customized to the particular application become.

In particular, according to the invention also provided that one piece a profile, in particular, be a piece of two pieces can, after cutting or cutting through the profile in the longitudinal direction present, a part or a component of the system according to the invention is in the form of a graduation profile. When cutting through or cutting through a profile that has a profile hollow body, then the Cutting side or longitudinal side of the closure profile have a recess that before cutting formed a part of a hollow chamber of the profile hollow body.

In particular, according to the invention provided, this cutting side or longitudinal side with the band-shaped material according to the invention or to cover the band, in particular to close the recess.

With the tape of the invention in particular also a long side of the edge of the system according to the invention to lock, along with the creation of a visually appealing system edge.

By the band or the band-shaped Material can also profiles with a profile hollow body Full profile character are awarded, especially for this reason because an at least substantially seamless connection of the strip-shaped material or of the band to the profiles possible is.

The color and shape of the tape or The band-shaped material can be chosen arbitrarily and individually. The band or the band-shaped material may be adapted to the appearance of the profiles or the profile body and / or printed in color, thereby setting accents.

Especially can the band-shaped Material have at least one side in the form of a visible side, which after the application of the band-shaped material on the end faces is visible, wherein the visible side visually to the surface, in particular the outer surface of the profile body or the profiles may be adapted. Alternatively, the visible side but also be colored, z. B. be printed in color to thereby setting accents and / or optically from the outer surface of the profile body or the profiles.

The individual coating forms can in Frame of the invention are generally combined with each other, So band-shaped Material and / or outer coating and / or inner coating.

at all practical embodiments of the inventive system Preferably, the inner coating and the outer coating are made from a polymer material.

Also according to the invention be provided that the juxtaposed profiles according to the invention in particular together form a facade. Also, the profiles according to the invention be used as components of a window facade.

The The invention further relates to a method for producing a Systems, in particular a floor covering for outdoor applications, in which a Plurality of string-shaped, by extrusion of WPC material manufactured profiled bodies, the preferably as a profile hollow body are formed, are arranged side by side, and then a band-shaped Material by heating at least partially convertible to a molten state and is set up, penetration of moisture into the WPC material to prevent, at least partially planar and cohesively with by heating the end faces of the adjacent profile body is connected, so that several profile end faces, in particular open profile end faces, at least partially covered with a single band become.

The Heat of the band-shaped Material or the band, which is preferably made of a polymer material can, for example, according to the invention with hot air or laser radiation of a laser, so that the system according to the invention, which may in particular be a floor covering for outdoor applications, respectively Can be completed on site in a simple and practical way. In particular, according to the invention provided that the band-shaped Material melted by heating or partially converted into a molten state and subsequently in this molten state or partially molten state flat is applied to the end faces to the flat and cohesive connection to build.

at a preferred embodiment the method according to the invention becomes a band-shaped Material uses a backing layer and a melt layer, wherein the melt layer by Heat at least partially convertible to a molten state. By using a band-shaped Material that is a carrier layer which does not melt or has a melting temperature, the larger, preferably is significantly larger as the melting temperature of the melt layer, the compound can also be carried out such that the melt layer of the strip-shaped material first at least partially flat is brought into contact with the end faces and only then a warming of the band-shaped Material takes place to at least partial melting of the Melting layer, the flat and cohesive To form a connection. The melt layer may be a, if necessary, coextruded, adhesive layer, z. In the form of a hot melt adhesive, act. In the context of the invention, however, it is in particular also an adhesive-free connection between band-shaped material and profile body too create by solely by melting the melt layer a connection to the profile body will be produced.

in the It is also within the scope of the invention that the band-shaped material only from a single layer (preferably from an adhesive-free Material), which melted at its profile body facing surface is to connect to the profile body.

Brief description of the drawings

following Be exemplary embodiments of Invention with reference to the attached Drawings closer explained. It shows:

1 a schematic sectional view of a profile according to the invention with a profile body in the form of a profile hollow body, and

2 a schematic three-dimensional representation of a system according to the invention without the open profile end-closing tape, and further schematic representations of a band-shaped material.

1 shows a schematic sectional view of a profile according to the invention 10 with a profile body 14 in the form of a profile hollow body 14 made of WPC material 12 , the three hollow chambers 16 having. The surface 18 of the profile hollow body 14 is made up of three inner surfaces 20 , which in each case the hollow chambers 16 limit, and an outer surface 22 together. Each of the inner surfaces 20 is with a coherent coating according to the invention 24 made of polymer material, which allows moisture to penetrate into the WPC material 12 prevented. Also the outer surface 22 is with a coherent coating according to the invention 24 made of polymer material. All coatings 24 are by way of coextrusion in the extrusion production of the profile 10 been applied.

2 shows above a schematic three-dimensional representation of a system according to the invention 26 without the open profile front ends 28 closing tape, the system 26 present three juxtaposed profiles 10 each with a profile body 14 in the form of a profile hollow body 14 and wherein the three profiles 10 together form a floor covering for outdoor applications, for example in the form of a terrace floor. In the 2 Profiles shown correspond in their construction to the in 1 shown profile.

The provision of only three profiles 10 is merely exemplary, wherein according to the invention in particular a significantly larger number of profiles 10 together can form the floor covering.

Shown is the situation before a coating according to the invention in the form of a band-shaped material 30 - After it, as schematically illustrated, z. B. from a roll 32 unwound and cut to a suitable length - fused by heating (eg., With a hot air blower or a hand-held laser device) or partially transferred to a molten state and then flat with the open profile end faces 28 the adjacent profiles 10 is brought into contact so that several open profile end faces 28 are jointly closed by a single band. In particular, the band-shaped material 30 also with the long sides 34 of the system 26 at least partially cohesively and extensively connected to the longitudinal sides 34 optically complete, in the present case such that the grooves 36 the long sides 34 from a substantially flat surface of band-shaped material 30 are covered.

Of course it can be at the in 2 Alternatively illustrated embodiment may also be completely sufficient to protect the inner surfaces 20 only the band-shaped material 30 provide and no coating 24 the inner surfaces 20 make. In general, within the scope of the invention, the individual coating methods (strip-shaped material 30 as well as exterior and interior coatings 24 ) can be combined with each other as desired.

The 2 also shows a schematic sectional view of a band-shaped material below right 30 with a two-layered construction, comprising a carrier layer 40 and a melt layer 38 , wherein the melt layer 38 by heating at least partially in a molten state can be converted. The carrier layer 40 is not melting or has a melting temperature which is greater, preferably significantly greater than the melting temperature of the melt layer 38 , By using this band-shaped material 30 the compound can also be made such that the melt layer 38 of the band-shaped material 30 initially at least partially flat with the open profile end faces 28 or the long sides 34 is brought into contact and only then a heating of the strip-shaped material 30 takes place to at least partial melting of the melt layer 38 to form the flat and cohesive connection.

10

profile

12

WPC material

14

profile body

16

hollow

18

surface

20

Inner surface

22

Outer surface

24

coating

26

system

28

Profile End Faces

30

band-shaped material

32

role

34

long side

36

groove

38

melting layer

40

backing

Claims (9)

Profile ( 10 ) with a strand-shaped, z. B. by extrusion, made of WPC material ( 12 ) profiled body ( 14 ), characterized in that the surface ( 18 ) of the profile body ( 14 ) at least in regions with at least one coating ( 24 . 30 ), which prevents moisture from penetrating into the WPC material ( 12 ) prevented. Profile ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the profile body ( 14 ) as a profile hollow body ( 14 ) having at least one inner surface ( 20 ) is trained. Profile ( 10 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the coating ( 24 ) on the inner surface ( 20 ) is applied. Profile ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coating ( 24 ) is applied by way of coextrusion. Profile ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating ( 24 ) consists of a polymeric material. Profile ( 10 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the polymeric material consists of PP or SEBS. System ( 26 ) with several juxtaposed profiles ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the profiles in particular together form a floor covering for exterior applications, characterized in that the coating ( 24 ) of a band-shaped material ( 30 ), which is on the end faces ( 28 ) of the adjacent profiles ( 10 ) is applied, so that several profile end faces ( 28 ), in particular open profile end faces ( 28 ), at least partially covered together with a single band. Method for producing a system, in particular a floor covering for exterior applications, in which a plurality of strand-shaped, by extrusion from WPC material ( 12 ) profiled bodies ( 14 ), preferably as a profile hollow body ( 14 ) are arranged side by side, and then a band-shaped material ( 30 ) which is at least partially convertible to a molten state by heating and is adapted to prevent moisture from penetrating into the WPC material ( 12 ), at least partially planar and by cohesively bonding with the end faces ( 28 ) of the adjacent profile body ( 14 ), so that several profile end faces ( 28 ), in particular open profile end faces ( 28 ), at least partially covered together with a single band. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that a strip-shaped material ( 30 ) is used, that a carrier layer ( 40 ) and a melt layer ( 38 ), wherein the melt layer ( 38 ) is at least partially converted into a molten state by heating.