Patent GB-1038989-A (GB)
Title: Decorative construction materials and process for manufacture thereof
IPC: B32B27/00
Filed: 1963-06-14
Abstract: 1,038,989. Ornamenting. SUZIMOTO RENSEN CO. Ltd. June 14, 1963 [June 21, 1962], No. 23886/63. Heading B6G. [Also in Division B5] A decorative laminate comprises a decorative water-insensitive substrate covered by a co-extensive preformed film of a vinyl alcohol homopolymer or copolymer, the substrate and film being separated at least partially by a layer of a synthetic pressure- and thermo-sensitive adhesive bonding the film to the substrate. The vinyl alcohol homopolymer, or copolymer film exhibits adhesive properties or stickiness upon being wetted with water, and undergoes chemical and physical changes such as polymerization on heating which enhances its adhesive properties and enables the laminate to be adhered to concrete, walls, floors and furniture. The adhesive layer may be in the form of a pattern of spots or lines, or may separate the substrate and film over substantially the entire area of the laminate. The preformed film may be of polyvinyl alcohol of 85-97% saponification, a partially uretanized polyvinyl alcohol, or a partially saponified copolymer of vinyl acetate with crotonic acid, isopropenyl acetate or ethylene oxide. The laminate is prepared by applying the adhesive to the decorative substrate and applying the co-extensive preformed film to the treated substrate before the adhesive dries and then drying the resulting laminate, or by applying the adhesive to the preformed film and then applying the decorative substrate thereto before the adhesive dries and then drying the resulting laminate. The adhesive may be applied dispersed in water or dissolved in a solvent by means of spray rolls or roller coater. Suitable adhesives contain cellulose derivatives, e.g. methyl cellulose, polyethylene, acrylic acid derivatives, polyamides, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-acrylate copolymers, polyvinyl butyral, polyisobutylene, butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers, cyclo-rubber, chloroprene rubber, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, and polyvinylidene chloride and its copolymers, and urea-melamine precondensates. A minor amount of a natural adhesive such as rubber or glue may be added. The preformed film may be of a mixture of not less than 80 parts by weight of polyvinyl alcohol, or derivative thereof, with less than 20 parts by weight of, for example, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyacrylates, vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride copolymer, vinyl methyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer, glue, gelatin, dextrin, soluble starch and wheat starch. The decorative substrate may be woven, knitted, and non-woven or loose fabrics which may be composed of only warps, or lace, of animal, vegetable, and mineral natural fibres, e.g. cloth, paper, of straw yarn, synthetic or semi-synthetic fibres; plastics in forms of sheet, board, tile, film, fictile tile, synthetic leather and wooden board. On wetting the polyvinyl alcohol layer dissolves and the layer of pressure- and thermo-sensitive adhesive swells so that the two adhesive agents commingle and confer strongly adhesive properties. The decorative substrate or the laminate may be made water repellent with aluminium acetate, silicon or triazine; soil-resistant with a low concentrated polyvinyl alcohol solution or starch paste; flame-resistant with carbonates, borates or phosphates; or insecticidal and mould resistant with various suitable agents.