Process for applying polyurethane to a substrate

• US 6,521,298 B1
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Isotec International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Isotec International Incorporated
• Inventors: Banks, Eric W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PIANALTO, BERNARD D
• Application Number:
  US10/094,788
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 427/385.5, 427/421, 427/425
• US Class Current: 427/425
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 1/002 the substrate being rotated
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 1/02 performed by spraying
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 1/34 Applying different liquids or other fluent materials simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 2201/00 Polymeric substrate or laminate
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 3/0218 Pretreatment, e.g. heating the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/08 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 2150/50 Compositions for coatings applied by spraying at least two streams of reaction components

Abstract

The process for applying a polyurethane derived from VOC-free reactants wherein the reactants are polyol resin and isocyanate. The reactants are separately heated, proportioned and pressurized then the proportioned heated reactants are mixed together. The proportionate volume ratio of polyol resin reactant to isocyanate reactant is 1:1.05 to about 1:4. Combining the reactants initializes the formation of the polyurethane with a stoichiometric excess of the isocyanate reactant. The polyurethane reactants are sprayed onto a heated rotating substrate in an amount sufficient to create a polyurethane elastomer reinforcement layer after curing. The polyurethane reactants are polymerize or gel into an elastomer in the time range of 15 to about 120 seconds.

Claims

1. A process of applying a polyurethane, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a substrate;

b) heating said substrate to a selected temperature;

c) selecting a polyol resin reactant;

d) selecting an isocyanate reactant in a stoichiometric excess of said polyol resin reactant;

e) mixing said reactants in a spraying mechanism;

f) initiating reaction in said spraying mechanism effective to form a sprayable mixture of said reactants;

g) forming a selected polyurethane from said reactants on the surface of said substrate to a selected thickness; and

h) curing said selected polyurethane adhered to said substrate.

2. A process of applying a polyurethane as recited in claim 1 said step of heating wherein said selected temperature is 95°

F. to about 110°

F.

3. A process of applying a polyurethane as recited in claim 2 the step of selecting said isocyanate wherein the volume ratio of said isocyanate reactant to said polyol resin reactant is 1:

1.05 to about 1;

4.

4. A process of applying a polyurethane as recited in claim 3 the step of providing a substrate wherein said substrate is selected from the group consisting of acrylic, co-extruded ABS/acrylic or thermoformed bathtubs, sinks, shower stalls, spas and signage.

5. A process of applying a polyurethane as recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of rotating said substrate relative to said spray-head mechanism.

6. A process of applying a polyurethane as recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of rotating said spray-head mechanism relative to said substrate.

7. A process of applying a polyurethane as recited in claim 4 the step of spraying said mixed reactants wherein said selected layer thickness is {fraction (1/16)}^th inch to about ½

inch.

8. A process of applying a polyurethane as recited in claim 4 the step of spraying said mixed reactants wherein said selected layer thickness is ⅛

^th inch.

9. A process for manufacture of a reinforced substrate wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of acrylic, co-extruded ABS/acrylic or thermoformed bathtubs, sinks, shower stalls, spas and signage, comprising the steps of:

a) rotating a selected substrate;

b) formulating polyurethane reactants to achieve a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate;

c) spraying said formulated reactants onto said rotating selected substrate in an amount sufficient to create reinforcement of said selected substrate; and

d) forming a polyurethane elastomer coating on said selected substrate via said polyurethane reactants;

e) curing said polyurethane elastomer coated substrate.

10. A process for manufacture as recited in claim 9 further comprising the step of heating said rotating substrate to a selected temperature.

11. An improved process of applying a polyurethane to a substrate devoid of a surface primer, positioning the substrate on a rotating platform, mixing a polyol resin reactant and a isocyanate reactant, separately heating, proportioning, pressurizing and then mixing the reactants, applying the mixed reactants to the rotating substrate then curing the polyurethane elastomer adhered to the substrate wherein the improvement comprising:

a) heating the rotating substrate to a selected temperature;

b) selecting the isocyanate reactant in a stoichiometric excess of the polyol resin reactant; and

c) spraying the separately heated, proportioned and pressurized mixture of said selected isocyanate and polyol reactants onto said selectively heated rotating substrate.