U.S. patent application number 13/864104 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-05 for particulate materials for acoustic texture material.
This patent application is currently assigned to Homax Products, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is HOMAX PRODUCTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Lester R. Greer, JR..
Application Number | 20130230655 13/864104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35429945 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130230655 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greer, JR.; Lester R. |
September 5, 2013 |
Particulate Materials for Acoustic Texture Material
Abstract
An acoustic texture material adapted to be dispensed from an
aerosol assembly using bi-phase propellant materials to form a
textured coating on drywall material such that the textured coating
substantially matches a pre-existing acoustic texture material on
the drywall material. The acoustic texture material has a base
portion capable of existing in a flowable state and a hardened
state and a particulate portion comprising discrete particles that
are visible to an unaided eye. The particulate portion is comprised
of at least one of urethane foam and melamine foam. The base
portion is capable of securing the particles to the drywall
material when the base portion is in the hardened state.
Inventors: |
Greer, JR.; Lester R.;
(Seattle, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HOMAX PRODUCTS, INC. |
Bellingham |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Homax Products, Inc.
Bellingham
WA
|
Family ID: |
35429945 |
Appl. No.: |
13/864104 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13114954 |
May 24, 2011 |
8420705 |
|
|
13864104 |
|
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|
11982134 |
Oct 31, 2007 |
7947753 |
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13114954 |
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11027219 |
Dec 29, 2004 |
7374068 |
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11982134 |
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60617236 |
Oct 8, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
427/372.2 ;
252/62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/02 20130101;
B65D 83/48 20130101; B65D 83/752 20130101; E04F 21/12 20130101;
E04B 1/84 20130101; Y10T 428/24405 20150115; B65D 83/306
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
427/372.2 ;
252/62 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/84 20060101
E04B001/84 |
Claims
1. An acoustic texture material adapted to be dispensed from an
aerosol assembly using bi-phase propellant materials to form a
textured coating on drywall material such that the textured coating
substantially matches a pre-existing acoustic texture material on
the drywall material, the acoustic texture material comprising: a
base portion capable of existing in a flowable state and a hardened
state; and a particulate portion comprising discrete particles that
are visible to an unaided eye; wherein the particulate portion is
comprised of at least one of urethane foam and melamine foam; and
the base portion is capable of securing the particles to the
drywall material when the base portion is in the hardened
state.
2. An acoustic texture material as recited in claim 1, in which the
particulate portion is formulated such that the bi-phase propellant
materials do not dissolve the discrete, visible, irregular
particles when the acoustic texture material is mixed with a liquid
phase of the bi-phase propellant materials.
3. An acoustic texture material as recited in claim 1, in which the
particulate portion is distributed throughout the base portion when
the base portion is in the flowable state and the acoustic texture
material is stored within the aerosol assembly.
4. A method of using an aerosol assembly to form a textured coating
on a drywall material such that the textured coating substantially
matches a pre-existing acoustic coating on the drywall material
comprising the steps of: providing a base portion in a flowable
state; forming a particulate portion comprising discrete particles
of at least one of urethane foam and melamine foam, where the
discrete particles are visible to the unaided eye; providing a
bi-phase propellant material formulated not to dissolve the
discrete particles; arranging the base portion in the flowable
state, the particulate portion, and the bi-phase propellant within
the aerosol assembly; operating the aerosol assembly such that a
portion of the bi-phase propellant material forces the base portion
in the flowable state and the particulate portion out of the
aerosol assembly and onto the drywall material; allowing the base
portion to form a hardened state in which the base portion secures
the discrete particles to the drywall material.
5. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising the step of
formulating the particulate portion such that the bi-phase
propellant materials do not dissolve the particles when the
acoustic texture material is mixed with the bi-phase propellant
materials.
6. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising the step of
distributing the particulate portion throughout the base portion
when the base portion is in the flowable state and the acoustic
texture material is within the aerosol assembly.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application, (Attorney's Ref. No. P217346) is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/114,954 filed
May 24, 2011.
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/114,954 is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/982,134 filed
Oct. 31, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,947,753 which issued May 24,
2011.
[0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/982,134 is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/027,219 filed
Dec. 29, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,068 which issued May 20,
2008.
[0004] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/027,219 claims benefit
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/617,236 filed
Oct. 8, 2004.
[0005] All related applications cited in this Related Applications
section, including the subject matter thereof, are incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0006] The present invention relates to particulate materials for
use in acoustic texture material and, more particularly, to
particulate materials that may be used in acoustic texture material
formulated to be dispensed from aerosol dispensers.
BACKGROUND
[0007] Interior walls are formed by sheets of drywall material that
are secured to the framing of a building. The seams between
adjacent sheets of drywall material are taped, mudded, and sanded
to obtain a substantially flat, smooth drywall surface. The drywall
surface is coated with primer and paint to obtain a finished
surface.
[0008] In some situations, a separate texture layer is applied to
the drywall surface prior to painting. The texture layer is formed
by spraying texture material onto the drywall surface. Texture
material is a coating material that, when sprayed, does not form a
smooth, thin coating. Instead, texture material is applied in
discrete drops or globs that dry to form a bumpy, irregular
textured surface.
[0009] Texture materials can be applied using any one of a number
of application systems. During new construction, texture materials
are commonly applied in a stream of compressed air using commercial
hopper gun systems. For touch up or repair, texture material is
commonly applied using hand operated pneumatic pumps or aerosol
dispensing systems. Varying the parameters of the application
system varies the size and spacing of the bumps to vary the look of
the textured surface.
[0010] One specific form of texture material is commonly referred
to as "acoustic" or "popcorn" texture material. In addition to a
coating material, acoustic texture material further comprises an
aggregate material. When the acoustic texture material is applied
using commercial hopper guns, the aggregate material is
conventionally formed by polystyrene chips. However, as will be
described in detail below, chips made of polystyrene foam are
dissolved by hydrocarbon aerosol propellant materials.
[0011] Accordingly, aerosol dispensing systems for dispensing small
amounts of acoustic texture material for repair or touch-up
purposes use one of two approaches. The first approach is to mix a
liquid hydrocarbon aerosol propellant material with chips made from
materials other than polystyrene. However, when chips made of
materials other than polystyrene foam are used, the appearance and
function of the texture surface may be different from that of the
surrounding surface.
[0012] The second approach is to combine polystyrene chips with a
propellant material formed by a pressurized inert gas such as
nitrogen or air. This second approach allows the use of a
conventional acoustic texture material including polystyrene chips.
However, the use of a pressurized inert gas causes the acoustic
texture material to be dispensed very quickly. The use of
pressurized inert gas as a propellant can make it difficult for a
non-professional to control the application of the acoustic texture
material.
[0013] The need thus exists for improved systems and methods for
dispensing small quantities of acoustic texture material for the
purpose of touch-up or repair.
SUMMARY
[0014] The present invention may be embodied as an acoustic texture
material adapted to be dispensed from an aerosol assembly using
bi-phase propellant materials to form a textured coating on drywall
material such that the textured coating substantially matches a
pre-existing acoustic texture material on the drywall material. The
acoustic texture material has a base portion capable of existing in
a flowable state and a hardened state and a particulate portion
comprising discrete particles that are visible to an unaided eye.
The particulate portion is comprised of at least one of urethane
foam and melamine foam. The base portion is capable of securing the
particles to the drywall material when the base portion is in the
hardened state.
[0015] The present invention may also be embodied as a method of
using an aerosol assembly to form a textured coating on a drywall
material such that the textured coating substantially matches a
pre-existing acoustic coating on the drywall material comprising
the following steps. A base portion is provided in a flowable
state. A particulate portion comprising discrete particles of at
least one of urethane foam and melamine foam is provided. The
discrete particles are visible to the unaided eye. A bi-phase
propellant material formulated not to dissolve the discrete
particles is provided. The base portion in the flowable state, the
particulate portion, and the bi-phase propellant are arranged
within the aerosol assembly. The aerosol assembly is operated such
that a portion of the bi-phase propellant material forces the base
portion in the flowable state and the particulate portion out of
the aerosol assembly and onto the drywall material. The base
portion is allowed to form a hardened state in which the base
portion secures the discrete particles to the drywall material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a section view of a first embodiment of an aerosol
dispensing system containing acoustic texture material
incorporating particulate material of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a section view of a second embodiment of an
aerosol dispensing system containing acoustic texture material
incorporating particulate material of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an elevation view depicting the use of one or both
of the first and second aerosol dispensing systems of FIGS. 1 and 2
being used to deposit acoustic texture material to a surface;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a section view of the acoustic texture material
after it has been deposited on the surface; and
[0020] FIGS. 5 and 6 are bottom plan views of the surface before
and after the acoustic texture material has been deposited
thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawing, depicted at
20a therein is a first embodiment of an aerosol system for
depositing on a surface 22 (FIGS. 3-6) acoustic texture material 24
incorporating particulate material 26 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a target portion 28 of the surface 22 on which
acoustic texture material 24 is to be deposited.
[0022] The example aerosol system 20a comprises a container
assembly 30, a valve assembly 32, a collection assembly 34, and an
outlet assembly 36. The container 30 defines a product chamber 40
in which the acoustic texture material 24 comprising the
particulate material 26 is contained. A first portion 42 of the
chamber 40 is occupied by the acoustic texture material 24, while a
second portion 44 of the chamber 40 is occupied by a pressurized
propellant material 46. The example container assembly 30 comprises
a can member 50 and a cup member 52.
[0023] The valve assembly 32 is mounted in a cup opening 34 define
by the cup member 52 and operates in a closed configuration (shown)
and an open configuration. In the open configuration, the valve
assembly 32 defines a dispensing passageway that allows fluid
communication between the interior and the exterior of the
container assembly 30.
[0024] The outlet assembly 36 comprises an actuator member 60 that
causes acoustic texture material 24 to be dispensed by the system
20 in a fan shaped spray as will be described in further detail
below. The actuator member 60 is mounted on the valve assembly 32
such that displacing the outlet member 60 towards the valve
assembly 32 places the valve assembly in the open
configuration.
[0025] The example valve assembly 32 comprises a valve seat 70, a
valve stem 72, a valve housing 74, a dip tube 76, and a valve
spring 78. The valve seat 70 defines a seat opening 70a and is
supported by the cup member 52. The valve stem 72 defines a valve
stem opening 72a and a valve surface 72b. The valve stem 72 is
supported by the valve seat 70 such that the valve stem moves
within the valve stem opening 72a between first and second
positions, with the first position being shown in FIG. 1.
[0026] The valve housing 74 is supported by the valve seat 70
within the product chamber 40. The valve housing 74 further
supports the dip tube 76 such that the acoustic texture material 24
within can flow into the valve housing 74 when the can is upright.
The valve spring 78 is supported by the valve housing 74 such that
the spring 78 biases the valve stem 72 into the first position. The
valve stem 72 supports the outlet assembly 36 such that depressing
the actuator member 60 towards the cup member 52 forces the valve
stem 72 into the second position (not shown) against the force of
the valve spring 78.
[0027] The valve assembly 32 thus operates in the closed
configuration and the open configuration as follows. When no force
is applied to the actuator member 60, the valve spring 78 forces
the valve surface 72b against the valve seat 70 to prevent fluid
from flowing through the valve stem opening 72a. When a force is
applied to the actuator member 60, the valve surface 72b is forced
away from the valve seat 70 such that fluid can flow from the
interior of the valve housing 74 through the valve stem opening 72a
and thus out of the product chamber 40.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawing, depicted at 20b
therein is a first embodiment of an aerosol system that may also be
used to deposit the acoustic texture material 24 incorporating
particulate material 26 of the present invention on the target
portion 28 of the surface 22.
[0029] The example aerosol system 20b comprises a container
assembly 130, a valve assembly 132, a collection assembly 134, and
an outlet assembly 136. The container 130 defines a product chamber
140 in which the acoustic texture material 24 comprising the
particulate material 26 is contained. A first portion 142 of the
chamber 140 is occupied by the acoustic texture material 24, while
a second portion 144 of the chamber 140 is occupied by a
pressurized propellant material 146. The example container assembly
130 comprises a can member 150 and a cup member 152.
[0030] The valve assembly 132 is mounted in a cup opening 134
define by the cup member 152 and operates in a closed configuration
(shown) and an open configuration. In the open configuration, the
valve assembly 132 defines a dispensing passageway that allows
fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the
container assembly 130.
[0031] The outlet assembly 136 comprises an actuator member 160
that causes acoustic texture material 24 to be dispensed by the
system 20 in a fan shaped spray as will be described in further
detail below. The actuator member 160 is mounted on the valve
assembly 132 such that displacing the outlet member 160 towards the
valve assembly 132 places the valve assembly in the open
configuration.
[0032] The example valve assembly 132 comprises a valve seat 170, a
valve stem 172, a valve housing 174, a dip tube 176, and a valve
spring 178. The valve seat 170 defines a seat opening 170a and is
supported by the cup member 152. The valve stem 172 defines a valve
stem opening 172a and a valve surface 172b. The valve stem 172 is
supported by the valve seat 170 such that the valve stem moves
within the valve stem opening 172a between first and second
positions, with the first position being shown in FIG. 1.
[0033] The valve housing 174 is supported by the valve seat 170
within the product chamber 140. The valve housing 174 further
supports the dip tube 176 such that the acoustic texture material
124 within can flow into the valve housing 174 when the can is
upright. The valve spring 178 is supported by the valve housing 174
such that the spring 178 biases the valve stem 172 into the first
position. The valve stem 172 supports the outlet assembly 136 such
that depressing the actuator member 160 towards the cup member 152
forces the valve stem 172 into the second position (not shown)
against the force of the valve spring 178.
[0034] The valve assembly 132 thus operates in the closed
configuration and the open configuration as follows. When no force
is applied to the actuator member 160, the valve spring 178 forces
the valve surface 172b against the valve seat 170 to prevent fluid
from flowing through the valve stem opening 172a. When a force is
applied to the actuator member 160, the valve surface 172b is
forced away from the valve seat 170 such that fluid can flow from
the interior of the valve housing 174 through the valve stem
opening 172a and thus out of the product chamber 140.
[0035] Turning now to FIGS. 3-6, the use of the aerosol dispensing
systems 20a and 20b will now be described in further detail. These
dispensing systems 20a and 20b are used in the same manner and are
both identified by reference character 20 in FIGS. 3-6.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the dispensing system 20 deposits a
fan-shaped spray of acoustic texture material 24 on the target
portion 28 of the wall 22. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the acoustic
texture material 24 covers the target portion 28 to match the
pre-existing acoustic texture material on the surface 22
surrounding the target portion 28.
[0037] Referring for a moment back to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen
that, in addition to the particulate material 26, the acoustic
texture material comprises a base portion 220 in the form of a
flowable liquid. The base portion 220 of the particulate material
conventionally comprises a carrier, a filler, and a binder.
[0038] In some aerosol systems, the propellant material 46,146 is
simply an inert pressurized gas such as air or nitrogen. In other
aerosol systems, the propellant material 46,146 is a material,
referred to herein as bi-phase propellant material, that exists in
both gaseous and liquid phases within the container assembly
30,130. The liquid phase of the propellant material 46,146 forms a
part of the base portion 220, while the gaseous phase propellant
material 46,146 occupies the pressurized portion 44 of the
container assembly 30,130.
[0039] As the acoustic texture material 24 is dispensed, the
pressure within the pressurized portion 44,144 of the container
assemblies 30,130 drops. Under these conditions, a portion of the
bi-phase propellant material 46,146 in the liquid phase gasifies to
re-pressurize the pressurized portion 44,144 of the container
assembly 30,130. The pressure within the pressurized portion 44,144
is thus under most conditions sufficient to force the acoustic
texture material 24 out of the container assembly 30,130 along the
dispensing passageway when the valve assembly 32,132 is in the open
configuration. The propellant material 46,146 may thus be a
pressurized inert gas such as air or nitrogen.
[0040] However, the present invention is of particular significance
when the propellant material is a bi-phase propellant material such
as di-methyl ethylene (DME) or any one of a number of hydrocarbon
propellants such as those available in the industry as A-40 and
A-70. The advantage of using bi-phase propellant materials is that
the pressure within the pressurized portion 44,144 of the container
assembly 30,130 is kept at a relatively constant, relatively low
level as the level of acoustic texture material 24 drops. This
constant, low level pressure allows the texture material 24 to be
dispensed in many small bursts instead of in a few large bursts, as
is the case when pressurized inert gases are used as the propellant
material 46,146.
[0041] Many particulate materials 26 suitable for use in acoustic
texture materials are incompatible with bi-phase propellant
materials. For example, as described above polystyrene chips are
commonly used in acoustic texture materials dispensed using
commercial hopper guns. However, polystyrene chips dissolve in the
bi-phase propellant materials of which the Applicant is aware.
[0042] The Applicant has discovered that urethane foam materials
and melamine foam materials may be used as the particulate material
26 with bi-phase propellant materials such as DME and hydrocarbon
propellants such as A-40 and A-70. Melamine foam materials in
particular are easily chopped up using conventional material
processors (e.g., a food blender) into irregular shapes that match
the appearance and function of polystyrene chips. Melamine foam
materials are already commonly used in building applications and
have desirable fire retardant, thermal, and acoustic
properties.
[0043] To manufacture the acoustic texture material 24, the base
portion 220 may be the same as a conventional base used in
commercially available acoustic texture materials. Instead of
polystyrene chips, however, urethane and/or melamine foam is
chopped up into particles of an appropriate size and use as the
particulate. In addition, a bi-phase propellant material is used to
form part of the carrier portion of the base portion 220.
[0044] The Applicant has thus determined that a conventional base
portion using melamine foam chips and DME as a propellant is
commercially practical and obtains acceptable aesthetic and
functional results. Appropriate adjustments in the liquids used as
the carrier in a conventional acoustic texture material formulation
may be required to obtain a desired consistency of the acoustic
texture material 24 as it is deposited on the surface 22.
* * * * *