Patent Application
20120251776
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of treating a layer of material and the product formed by the method. In particular, some embodiments relate to a method of treating a layer of snake skin to increase its range of applications.
It is possible to use natural animal products to accessorize electronic or mechanical devices. For example, a leather strap may be used for a watch.
It is also possible to use natural animal products to create accoutrements. For example, leather may be used to create shoes and hang-bags.
Not all natural animal products are as pliable and as robust as leather. This limits their range of applications
It would be desirable to treat a layer of natural material so that it has a greater range of applications.
According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: a layer of natural, textured material comprising a first side and a second side; and cured adhesive impregnated into the layer of natural, textured material from the first side but not from the second side.
According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method comprising: forming a stack comprising a substrate, adhesive, a layer of natural, textured material and a cover membrane; removing atmosphere from between the layer of material and the cover membrane to draw the cover membrane onto the layer of material and to impregnate the layer of material with adhesive; and curing the adhesive.
According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: a layer of material comprising a first side and a second side; and cured adhesive impregnated into the layer of material from the first side.
For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:
The figures illustrate an apparatus 10 comprising a layer of natural, textured material 4 comprising an upper surface 5 and a lower surface 7; and cured adhesive 8 impregnated into the layer of natural, textured material 4 from the lower surface 7 but not from the upper surface 5.
A method of manufacturing the apparatus 10 is illustrated in
Some embodiments of the invention mitigate the problem of scale lifting which occurs when a snake skin is contorted because the scales are attached to the underlying epidermis at one end and not the other. When the skin is contorted, the scales can therefore pivot causing the non attached edge of the scale to lift. This scale lifting causes a rough feel (which can get worse with time) and also allows moisture to enter and cause degradation. In some embodiments of the invention, when the skin is contorted, the scales are fixed and do not lift. Some embodiments of the invention stick down the snake scales efficiently and consistently allowing snake skins to be used on curved complex surfaces without the scales lifting. Some embodiments of the invention enable the use of snake skin, such as Python skin for example, in applications whether the skin is contorted.
In
An atmosphere 12 which may be air or some other inert gas is present between at least the cover membrane 2 and an upper surface 5 of the layer of material 4. The atmosphere 12 may also be present between a lower surface 7 of the layer of material 4 and the substrate 6. The adhesive 8 may be formed as a layer on the lower surface 7 of the layer of material 4 and, in this example (as illustrated), an atmosphere 12 may be present between the adhesive layer 8 and the substrate 6.
The atmosphere 12 is then removed 11 from the stack 3 by evacuation. The cover membrane 2 and the substrate 6 are typically impermeable to the atmosphere. Consequently, removing the atmosphere 12 creates a lower pressure region between the cover membrane 2 and the layer of material 4 and, optionally, also between the layer of material 4 and the substrate 6.
The lower pressure region between the cover membrane 2 and the layer of material 4 draws the adhesive 8 into the layer of material 4 impregnating it. The lower pressure region between the cover membrane 2 and the layer of material 4 draws the cover membrane 2 towards the upper surface 5 of the layer of material 4 protecting it from adhesive 8 and presenting a barrier to the further impregnation of adhesive 8. When the adhesive cures a thin laminate structure results as illustrated in
The
In some embodiments, the laminate structure 10 illustrated in
In the laminate structure 10 illustrated in
The adhesive is chosen so that it has the correct curing properties and correct viscosity. If the glue dries too quickly then it will not infuse through the material 4, similarly if the glue is too viscous then it will not penetrate through the layer of material 4.
The cover membrane 2 is pliable and conforms to any relief on the upper surface 5 of the layer of material 4. The cover membrane 2 may be for example a thin, pliable sheet. It may be formed from a polymer plastic, for example.
Referring to the laminate structure 10 illustrated in
The layer of material 4 may be a layer of natural material such as animal skin (leather) or fabric. The material 4 may be textured, with the texture being represented by contours in an upper surface of the flexible cover membrane 2 of the laminate structure 10.
Where the laminate structure 10 illustrated in
Where the laminate structure 10 illustrated in
In some embodiments, a vacuum bagging process may be used. In these embodiments, the cover membrane 2 and the substrate 6 may be provided by upper and lower portions of a vacuum bag. The layer of material 4 that has adhesive 8 formed as a layer on the lower surface 7 of the layer of material 4, is placed in a vacuum bag and the atmosphere is evacuated from the bag (
However in some embodiments, the layer of material 4 is coated with adhesive 8 on the lower surface 7 of the layer of material 4. The coated layer of material is then placed between two sheets of release paper and placed on a support surface. A flexible sheet is placed over the stack formed from the bottom up by the lower release paper, adhesive 8, material 4, upper release paper to enclose a sealed atmosphere around the stack. The sealed atmosphere is then evacuated (
In one embodiment, illustrated in
In other embodiments, the layer of material 4 may be a fabric such as silk.
As illustrated in
The flexible laminate structure 10 formed as the direct product of the method illustrated in
The flexible laminate structure 10, formed as the direct product of the method illustrated in
The flexible structure 10, formed as the direct product of the method illustrated in
The flexible structure 10, formed as the direct product of the method illustrated in
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.
Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.
Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.
Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.
Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.
