Packaging prefinished fiber cement products

• US 8,297,018 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2003
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Hardie Technology Limited (James Hardie Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: James Hardie Technology Limited (James Hardie Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Peng, Weiling
• Primary Examiner(s): GILBERT, WILLIAM V
• Application Number:
  US10/620,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20040086676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,394 Days
• Field of Search: 523/091.3, 523/091.5, 524/041, 525/060.1, 524/46, 523/111, 428/40.1, 428/41.7, 428/41.8
• US Class Current: 52/446
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 11/04 for coating or applying engobing layersglazing, engobing C04B
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 13/12 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/5825 Tear resistant
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/748 Releasability
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2319/00 Synthetic rubber
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2323/04 Polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2323/10 Polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2327/06 PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2333/04 Polymers of esters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2363/00 Epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2367/00 Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2375/00 Polyureas; Polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2377/00 Polyamides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2419/00 Buildings or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2553/00 Packaging equipment or accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/28 comprising synthetic resins not wholly covered by any one of the sub-groups B32B27/30 - B32B27/42
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/304 comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/308 comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/34 : comprising polyamides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 : comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/38 : comprising epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/40 : comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/12 : characterised by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/18 : characterised by features of a layer of foamed material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 : using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/04 : of concrete or other stone-like material; of asbestos cement; of cement and other mineral fibresE04C2/26 takes precedence; material or manufacture B28, C04
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/06 : reinforced
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/16 : of fibres or chips, e.g. bonded with synthetic resins , or with an outer layer of fibres or chips E04F13/0864 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/14 : Layer or component removable to expose adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1471 : Protective layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1476 : Release layer

Abstract

Protected prefinished fiber cement products are manufactured by applying a protective layer on the finished surface of a fiber cement product. The protective layer protects the finish layer of the prefinished fiber cement product during handling, storage, and transport. Removing the protective layer leaves no adhesive residue on the finish layer, does not damage the finish layer, and does not substantially tear the protective layer. Protected prefinished fiber cement products are typically stacked on pallets for storage and transport. Optionally, spacers may be placed between the stacked protected prefinished fiber cement products.

Claims

1. An assembly of protected prefinished fiber cement products comprising a plurality of protected prefinished fiber cement articles arranged in a stack, wherein a protected prefinished fiber cement product comprises:

a fiber cement product, a non-adhesive finish layer applied to the fiber cement product, and a removable multilayer protective layer consisting essentially of a separate polymer film and a separate adhesive layer, said adhesive layer of said multilayer protective layer adhered to the non-adhesive finish layer, wherein the adhesive layer is selected with predetermined adhesive properties to work in concert with the thickness and tensile strength of the protective layer such that the adhesive bonds weakly to the fiber cement product to allow the polymer film and the adhesive layer to be removed from the fiber cement product at the same time without tearing or leaving a residue on the non-adhesive finish layer, wherein the thickness of the protective layer is from about 0.0001 inch to about 0.08 inch and the tensile strength of the protective layer is from about 1200 to 4767 psi;

the multilayer protective layer protects the finish layer from damage in storage, transport and handling,

removing the multilayer protective layer leaves no residue on the non-adhesive finish layer and does not damage the non-adhesive finish layer, and

the multilayer protective layer resists tearing on removal.

2. The protected prefinished fiber cement product of claim 1, wherein the protective layer is from about 0.0003 inch to about 0.03 inch thick.

3. The protected prefinished fiber cement product of claim 2, wherein the protective layer is from about 0.001 inch to about 0.01 inch thick.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the protected prefinished fiber cement products are banded together.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the protected prefinished fiber cement products are stacked on a pallet.