Packaging prefinished fiber cement articles

• US 20070196611A1
• Filed: 03/08/2007
• Published: 08/23/2007
• 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: Chen, Yongjun, Luo, Caidian, Peng, Weiling, Giang, Luan
• Granted Patent: US 8,281,535 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/40.1
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 11/04 for coating or applying engobing layersglazing, engobing C04B
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 13/02 with fibres or particles being present as additives in the layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 13/045 of foam
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 13/12 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/0228 Aromatic vinyl resin, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/025 Polyolefin vinyl or acrylic copolymers B32B2266/0221, B32B2266/0242
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/71 Resistive to light or to UV
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/20 comprising silicone rubber
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2607/00 Walls, panels
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/16 specially treated, e.g. irradiated
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/30 comprising vinyl (co)polymers; 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 3/14 characterised by a face layer formed of separate pieces of material which are juxtaposed side-by-side B32B5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/06 permitting easy separation
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/10 at least one layer having inter-reactive properties
• 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: 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 articles are manufactured by applying a protective layer on the finished surface of a fiber cement article. The protective layer protects the finish layer of the prefinished fiber cement article during handling, storage, and transport. Removing the protective layer leaves no residue on the finish layer, does not damage the finish layer, and does not substantially tear the protective layer. Protected prefinished fiber cement article are typically stacked on pallets for storage and transport. Optionally, spacers may be placed between the stacked protected prefinished fiber cement article.

Claims

1. A prefinished fiber cement article comprising:

a fiber cement siding article, having a top and sides where the top has a finish layer and a removable polymer film protective layer, wherein the protective layer is adhered to the finish layer by an adhesive and an electrostatic charge.

2. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 1, wherein the polymer film is polyethylene.

3. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 1, wherein the polymer film is from 0.0001 inch to 0.005 inch thick.

4. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is selected form the group consisting of polyacrylate, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl acetate rubber, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, butyl rubber, neoprene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, polyisobutylene, butadiene-acrylonitrile polymer, thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-butadiene rubber, poly-alpha-olefins, amorphous polyolefins, silicones, ethylene-containing copolymers, polyurethanes, polyamides, epoxys, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymers, polyesters, mixtures thereof, and copolymers thereof.

5. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 4, wherein the adhesive is an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer and ethyl methacrylate copolymer mixture.

6. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 4, wherein the adhesive is a heat activated adhesive.

7. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 4, wherein the adhesive is a pressure activated adhesive.

8. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is applied in a pattern.

9. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic charge is applied to the protective layer prior to applying the protective layer to the finished layer.

10. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic charge applied is up to 50 KV.

11. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 10, wherein the electrostatic charge applied is between 20 to 40 KV.

12. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 11, wherein the electrostatic charge applied is about 30 KV.

13. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises a UV inhibitor.

14. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 13, wherein the UV inhibitor is a pigment.

15. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 1, wherein the protective layer is further treated with a Corona surface treatment.

16. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 15, wherein the protective layer'"'"'s surface tension is 32 to 65 dynes.

17. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 16, wherein the protective layer'"'"'s surface tension is 34 to 48 dynes.

18. A prefinished fiber cement article comprising:

a fiber cement article having a top and sides, the top having a finished layer and a removable protective layer wherein the protective layer is adhered to the finished layer by an electrostatic charge.

19. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 18, wherein the electrostatic charge is up to 50 KV.

20. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 19, wherein the electrostatic charge is 20 KV to 40 KV.

21. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 18, wherein the electrostatic charge is applied to the protective layer prior to applying the protective layer to the finished surface

22. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 18, wherein the protective layer further comprises an adhesive.

23. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 18, wherein the protective layer is formed from a polymer film.

24. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 23, wherein the polymer film is formed from a polymer resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, polyamide, silicone, blends thereof, and copolymers thereof.

25. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 18, wherein the protective layer is formed from a polymer foam.

26. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 25, wherein the polymer foam is selected form the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene.

27. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 18, wherein the protective layer further comprises spacers which absorb shock when a plurality of fiber cement articles are stack.

28. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 18, wherein the protective layer is from about 0.0001 inch to about 0.005 inch thick.

29. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 28, wherein the protective layer is from about 0.001 inch to about 0.003 inch thick.

30. A prefinished fiber cement article comprising:

a fiber cement article having a top and sides, the top having a finished layer and a removable protective layer wherein the protective layer has UV resistance and is adhered to the finished layer by an adhesive and an electrostatic charge.

31. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 30, wherein the protective layer is pigmented.

32. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 30, wherein the protective layer has anti-UV additives.

33. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 30, wherein the protective layer has anti-oxidization additives.

34. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 30, wherein the protective layer is a polymer film.

35. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 34, wherein the polymer film is formed from a polymer resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, polyamide, silicone, blends thereof, and copolymers thereof.

36. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 30, wherein the adhesive is an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer and ethyl methacrylate copolymer mixture.

37. The prefinished fiber cement article of claim 30, wherein the electrostatic charge is between about 20 KV to about 40 KV.