Non-toxic chemical musical instrument string coating and preservative

• US 7,531,730 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2006
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phillip Jason Everly
• Original Assignee: Phillip Jason Everly
• Inventors: Everly, Phillip Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Donels; Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): UHLIR, CHRISTOPHER J
• Application Number:
  US11/347,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20060174746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 843/13, 841/99, 842/97.R, 84294-295, 844/55, 524/544, 526/245, 560/223, 564/209
• US Class Current: 84/313
• CPC Class Codes: G10D 3/10 Strings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/285 Permanent coating compositions

Abstract

A method of protecting musical instrument strings comprising the steps of applying a fluorochemical acrylate polymer coating carried in a hydrofluoroether solvent to the strings of a musical instrument, so as to leave a low surface energy film covering the strings at a thickness of less than one micron which is resistant to oils and dirt, and provides virtually no interference with the sound generating properties of the string. The polymer coating is non-toxic, non-ozone depleting, non-flammable and contains not volatile organic compounds. The polymer is insoluble in solvents including heptane, toluene and water, however it is soluble in fluorinated solvents.

Claims

1. A method of enhancing the sound quality of musical instrument strings comprising the steps of:

coating a musical instrument string with a fluorochemical acrylate polymer film of approximately 1 micron, or less, by treating said string with a solution of fluorochemical acrylate polymer solute and hydrofluoroether solvent;

allowing the film to dry.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said coating is non-toxic, non-ozone depleting, non-flammable and contains no volatile organic compounds.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said film has surface energy of not more than 12 dynes/cm and no less than 11 dynes/cm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said film is insoluble in solvents chosen from the list of heptanes, toluene, and water.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said film is applied so as to be soluble in fluorinated solvents.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said film can withstand temperatures of up to 175 degrees centigrade.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said treatment of said string with said solution is accomplished by any of the means consisting of either emersion, bespatter, topical application, dipping, spraying, or brushing.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said string is clean and moisture-free prior to said treatment, so that said film is transparent with anti-wetting, anti-sticking, anti-migration, and anti-corrosion properties after said film has dried.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein said coating partially covers all surfaces of said string.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein said coating partially encompasses said string.

9. A musical instrument string comprising:

a musical string;

a fluorochemical acrylate polymer coating on said musical string, said coating further having a thickness of approximately 1 micron, or less.

10. The musical instrument string of claim 9, wherein said coating is non-toxic, non-ozone depleting, non-flammable and contains no volatile organic compounds.

11. The musical instrument string of claim 9, wherein said coating has surface energy of not more than 12 dynes/cm and no less than 11 dynes/cm.

12. The musical instrument string of claim 9, wherein said coating is insoluble in solvents chosen from the list of heptanes, toluene, and water.

13. The musical instrument string of claim 9, wherein said coating can withstand temperatures of up to 175 degrees centigrade.

14. The musical instrument string of claim 9, wherein said coating is the result of treatment of said musical string with a solution of fluorochemical acrylate polymer solute and hydrofluoroether solvent.

15. The musical instrument string of claim 9, wherein said coating is transparent with anti-wetting, anti-sticking, anti-migration, and anti-corrosion properties.

26. The musical instrument string of claim 9, wherein said coating partially encompasses said string.

16. A method of fabricating musical instrument strings comprising the steps of:

obtaining a clean and moisture free musical string;

coating said string with a fluorochemical acrylate polymer film of less than 1 micron by treating said string with a solution of fluorochemical acrylate polymer solute and hydrofluoroether solvent;

allowing said film to dry.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said treatment of said string with said solution is accomplished by any of the means consisting of either emersion, bespatter, topical application, dipping, spraying, or brushing.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said coating is non-toxic, non-ozone depleting, non-flammable and contains no volatile organic compounds.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said coating has surface energy of not more than 12 dynes/cm and no less than 11 dynes/cm.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said coating is insoluble in solvents chosen from the list of heptanes, toluene, and water.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein said coating can withstand temperatures of up to 175 degrees centigrade.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein said coating is the result of treatment of said musical string with a solution of fluorochemical acrylate polymer solute and hydrofluoroether solvent.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein said coating is transparent with anti-wetting, anti-sticking, anti-migration, and anti-corrosion properties.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein said coating partially encompasses said string.

24. A stringed musical instrument comprising:

a musical instrument chosen from the group consisting of guitar, violin, cello, bass, banjo, piano, and harp;

at least one musical string featuring a fluorochemical acrylate polymer coating having a thickness of approximately 1 micron, or less.