SOFT SURFACE LAMINATE

Abstract: A soft surface laminate comprising a layer of modelling clay bonded to a supporting medium, which is preferably flexible, such as paper, cardboard, fiberboard, cloth of plastics film. The clay is bonded to the supporting medium preferably without the use of a bonding agent, for example by rolling. The laminate may be used, inter alia, for printing, for moulding of self-setting liquid materials, and for temporary seals for fissures or cracks in fluid containing vessels or conduits.

Description: SOFT SURFACE LAMINATE This invention relates to a laminate having a soft surface, usable, for example, for modelling, inscribing or impressing to form patterns, pictures or other artwork, and for printing, moulding or temporarily sealing fissures or cracks in 5. fluid-containing vessels or conduits. According to the invention, the laminate comprises a layer of modelling clay bonded to a supporting medium. Modelling clay is a material which can be modelled or moulded and which remains plastic without any permanent 0 hardening by internal or external action. The modelling clay is preferably bonded to the supporting medium by the simple application of pressure without the use of any intermediate bonding agent. The supporting medium is preferably flexible and may be cardboard or fibreboard, cloth, 5 plastics film, paper, wood or even metal foil. The invention also provides a method of printing on to a substrate, wherein a raised or recessed image is formed in the layer of modelling clay of the laminate, an ink is applied to the layer or to the image areas formed therein, and the ink is - 0 then transferred to the substrate. The laminate can be preformed to conform with the surface of the substrate either before or after the raised or recessed image is formed therein. Thus, for example, a convexly or concavely curved substrate can be printed upon. A further aspect of the invention provides a method of casting an article in a self-setting liquid material, comprising forming a mould from one or more pieces of the laminate, pouring the liquid material in to the mould and allowing the material to harden, and then removing the piece or pieces of laminate from the article thus formed. The surface of the modelling clay on the laminate is preferably coated with a release agent, to facilitate its removal from the article, before the self-setting liquid material is poured into the mould. Indentations to form lettering or a decoration, for example, are preferably formed -2- in the surface of the modelling clay layer before the mould is formed into shape, so that the surface of the cast article bears corresponding cast lettering or decoration. Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method of effecting a temporary seal for a fissure or crack in a fluid containing vessel or conduit, comprising pressing over the fissure or crack the clay surface of a piece of the laminate. Securing means may be applied to the laminate so that it is held in place on the vessel or conduit. Preferably, where the conduit is a pipe,, the laminate is wrapped around the pipe. In this case, the securing means may comprise at least one strap or band positioned over the laminate around the pipe. The laminate of the invention may be used as a creative aid, and may be formed in a plurality of difference colours, images being formed in the laminate by cutting or pressing so as to form an image in relief. In an alternative method of forming an image on the laminate of the invention, a picture or other image is placed over the surface of the laminate and gently rubbed down to adhere the picture to the laminate. A pin or other tool is then used to prick through the outline of the image and around as much detail of the image as is desired, and the picture is then removed. The holes can then be joined together by a suitable stylus or other point and the resulting line image coloured, if desired. Images may also be built up by pressing objects into the surface of the laminate. A raised dye can also be used to form images in the surface of the laminate. The laminate may be used for moulding by wrapping around an object or by pressing objects into the surface. This is facilitated by using a cloth or other flexible backed laminate. Cooling of the article after modelling will assist in retaining the shape. The modelling clay layer in the laminate will not only adhere to itself but also to the backing material, permitting the laminate readily to be formed into three dimensional structures. This has application in the formation of model buildings or landscapes, and also in forming theatrical masks and makeup components, for example false noses -3- and other features. The laminate also finds industrial application in packaging, for example of electronic components and in shaping prototype components such as seats, backrests, and baths. The modelling clay layer may be of any desired thickness, • particularly useful thicknesses being from about one millimetre to five millimetres. For many purposes, a thickness of two to three millimetres will be advantageous. The laminate may be formed by rolling the modelling clay ' onto a supporting medium. It has been found that, especially with porous supporting mediums, adhesion of the clay on the supporting medium is sufficient after rolling without the need for an additional bonding medium to be employed. It will be appreciated that the laminate of the invention can be employed in a very wide range of uses. ■ ^XJRE OMP

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A laminate comprising a layer of modelling clay bonded to a supporting medium. 2. A laminate according to Claim 1, wherein the modelling clay is bonded to the supporting medium without the use of a bonding agent. 3. A laminate according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting medium is flexible. 4. A laminate according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the supporting medium is paper, cardboard or fibreboard. 5. A laminate according to Claim 3, wherein the supporting medium is cloth. 6. A method of printing on to a substrate, wherein a raised or recessed image is formed in the layer of modelling clay of a laminate according to any preceding claim, an ink is applied to the layer or to the image areas formed therein, and the ink is then transferred to the substrate. 7. A method of casting an article in a self-setting liquid material, comprising forming a mould from one or more pieces of laminate in accordance with any of Claims 3 to 5, pouring the liquid material into the mould and allowing the material to harden, and then removing the piece or pieces of laminate from the article thus formed. 8. A method of effecting a temporary seal for a fissure or crack in a fluid-containing vessel or conduit, comprising pressing over the fissure or crack the clay surface of a piece of laminate according to any of Claims 1 to 5. O

Inventors: HODGKINSON DEREK ALAN, HODGKINSON, DEREK, ALAN
Applicants: HODGKINSON DEREK ALAN, MOUNTAIN AND ASSOCIATES MARKET, HODGKINSON, DEREK, ALAN, MOUNTAIN AND ASSOCIATES MARKETING SERVICES LIMITED
Application year: 1982
Main classification: B44C1
IPC codes: B05D5, B29C39, B32B19, B41C3, B44C1, B44C3, C09K3, F16L55