Article having a surface treatment and method of applying same

Abstract

The surface treatment of the present invention is formed from a thermoplastic powder that can be used for a large variety of applications including, but not limited to, containers, flooring, table tops, bathroom fixtures, such as tubs, shower stalls, and the like, trays, coasters, tray supports, tools, measuring devices, musical instrument parts, motorized vehicle surfaces, building structures and components, bridges, railroad and mass transportation articles, and instruments. Further, such surface treatments having illuminating materials and/or reflective materials can be used for flooring or wall surfaces or on articles for operating in darken conditions or conditions with limited visibility.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of the present invention and further features and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective side view of an article having a surface for providing a substrate for receiving the surface treatment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the process steps of forming the surface treatment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of forming the surface treatment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another preferred embodiment of the surface treatment of the present invention showing means for increasing or decreasing the coefficient of friction of the surface treatment;

FIG. 5 is another preferred embodiment of the invention showing another preferred embodiment of the invention showing the surface treatment applied to an article;

FIG. 6 is the surface treatment of FIG. 5 further comprising apertures for cooperating with wicking material to reduce the build up of moisture forming along the surface of the surface treatment;

FIG. 7 is another preferred embodiment of the invention showing the surface treatment applied to the nose piece of conventional glasses;

FIG. 8 is another preferred embodiment of the invention showing the surface treatment deposited on a substrate comprising a static cling material for use as a window treatment; and

FIG. 9 is another preferred embodiment of the invention showing the surface treatment deposited on a surface of an article or structure to provide a protective barrier to the treated surface.

Claims

1. A method of applying a surface treatment to an article comprising the steps of: applying a thermographic powder to a portion of the article, wherein the thermographic powder is applied in a molten state such that the thermographic powder adheres to the surface; andcooling the molten thermographic powder to form the surface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermographic powder is applied to the substrate by dipping at least a portion of the substrate into a supply of molten thermographic powder.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermographic powder is reheated to allow the thermographic powder to form a relatively smooth surface.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermographic powder is formed from a mixture of thermographic powders, wherein the powders are formed from particles of substantially different sizes.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermographic powder is formed from a polyamide resin.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermographic powder is applied to the substrate using a holt-melt system.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermographic powder is applied to the substrate using a sprayer.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: selecting the composition and texture and thickness of the surface and heating the thermographic powder to the proper temperature and for the proper amount of time to form the desired surface.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting the desired coefficient of friction for the surface.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said thermographic powder is applied using a slot (ribbon) coater.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of adding a biological agent to the thermoplastic powder.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of adding an illumination agent to the thermoplastic powder.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of adding a reflective agent to the thermoplastic powder.

14. An article having a surface treatment applied thereon, said surface treatment is formed from a mixture formed from thermoplastic powder and means for increasing or decreasing the coefficient of friction of the surface treatment.

15. The article of claim 14 wherein said surface treatment further comprises an illumination means.

16. The article of claim 14 wherein said surface treatment further comprises a reflecting means.

17. The article of claim 14 wherein said surface treatment further comprises at least one biological agent.

18. The article of claim 14 wherein said surface treatment comprises means for reducing the transparency of UV rays passing through the surface treatment.

19. The article of claim 14, wherein said article is selected from the group consisting of flooring, counter tops, table tops, bathroom fixtures, windows, eyewear, clothing and wearing accessories, food and beverage containers, motorized vehicles, railroad cars, building structures, bridge structures, and articles for transporting objects.