Method for structuring a surface by indirect application of a treatment medium and edge strip produced therefrom

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing a surface (56, 58, 84, 104), in which method a substrate (50, 80) having a surface (56, 58, 84, 104) is provided, wherein the surface (56, 58, 84, 104) at least partially has a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material comprises a thermoplastic and / or a thermoplastic elastomer, and wherein the polymeric material is at least partially in a molten state on the surface (56, 58, 84, 104) of the substrate (50, 80), and in which method a liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) is applied to a carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66), characterized in that the liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) is transferred from the carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) onto the surface (56, 58, 84, 104) of the substrate (50, 80) before the polymeric material is completely solidified, preferably before the start of the solidification process of the polymeric material, and that the transferred liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) interacts with the surface (56, 58, 84, 104) of the substrate (50, 80) such that a surface structuring (72, 74, 86, 88, 106, 108) is produced on the surface (56, 58, 84, 104) of the substrate (50, 80). The invention also relates to an edge strip (100) having a surface structuring (72, 74, 86, 88, 106,

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for treating a surface, in which a substrate having a surface is provided, wherein the surface is at least partially comprised of a polymer material comprising a thermoplastic and / or thermoplastic elastomer, and wherein the polymer material is at least partially molten on the surface of the substrate, and wherein a liquid treatment medium is applied to a carrier medium in the method. This disclosure further relates to an edge strip having a matrix and at least one near-surface layer, wherein the at least one near-surface layer is at least partially composed of a polymer material comprising a thermoplastic and / or thermoplastic elastomer, and wherein the surface is surface-structured. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, particularly in the furniture and laminate flooring manufacturing industries, it is known to provide structuring to surfaces through embossing methods. Traditionally, a structuring element, such as an embossing roller with a three-dimensional surface structure, is used, corresponding to a negative image of the structural pattern to be applied. In addition, it is known to use structuring elements in the form of structuring sheets, strips, or films, which also carry three-dimensional surface structures. In this way, when treating the surface, the desired structural pattern is pressed into the surface, just as with an embossing roller with a three-dimensional surface structure.

[0003] Therefore, both of these known structuring methods utilize elements that bear patterns or have three-dimensional surface structures that correspond to or are patterned. Manufacturing such structuring elements is complex and expensive. Furthermore, it typically takes four to six months to manufacture a single embossed roller, which results in long lead times when producing end products such as laminate flooring or furniture.

[0004] Furthermore, structuring methods utilizing structured elements present complex challenges, such as the need for precise adjustments to the embossing rollers or presses to press the structure-imparting elements into the surface to be treated with a specific pattern depth. Similarly, detachment from the structure-imparting elements can also be problematic, as it can cause stretching or deformation of the pattern on the surface. Moreover, there is often a preference for choosing less prominent structures or patterns so that the maximum length of repetition of the so-called ripport, or pattern, limited by the circumference of the embossing roller, is less noticeable. In this case, for example, the repetition of the pattern on the surface to be treated might be envisioned to be on the order of approximately 50 cm.

[0005] Digital printing improves surface treatment with patterns by removing the limitations of embossing roller circumference, allowing for the application of patterns or decorations of unlimited length. However, structuring the surface to be treated—that is, providing a three-dimensional pattern—remains challenging. To achieve surface structuring, the substrate can be treated in a separate process step, first by creating a specific embossed pattern on the surface through imprinting, and then by applying an image to the embossed surface through digital printing. However, coordinating such process steps is highly demanding and often results in surfaces where the embossing and the image do not optimally match.

[0006] DE 10 2015 110 236 B4 discloses a method and apparatus for fabricating a structure on the surface of a flat workpiece. In this method, the workpiece is coated with a liquid base layer in the form of an acrylic varnish in a first step, and droplets are sprayed onto it in a second step. In a third step, the liquid base layer and the sprayed droplets are dried together. Therefore, DE 10 2015 110236 B4 discloses a modified dispersion, rather than a polymer melt.

[0007] There are obstacles, especially when it comes to providing new embossing rollers, whether in terms of the structuring of the embossing roller surface itself, the installation of the new embossing rollers onto the production line by crane, or the precise setting of embossing parameters such as the embossing depth. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In this context, the object of the present invention is to improve known methods for surface treatment, and in particular to provide a method that can both increase flexibility in the manufacture of edge strips and achieve optimal surface structuring quality.

[0009] The above objective is achieved according to the invention by a method for treating a surface, in which a substrate having a surface is provided, wherein the surface has at least partially a polymer material comprising thermoplastic plastics and / or thermoplastic elastomers, and wherein the polymer material is at least partially molten on the surface of the substrate, and wherein a liquid treatment medium is applied to a carrier medium in the method, characterized in that the liquid treatment medium is transferred from the carrier medium to the surface of the substrate before the polymer material has completely solidified, preferably before the solidification process of the polymer material begins, and the transferred treatment medium interacts with the surface of the substrate to produce a surface structuring.

[0010] The present invention also relates to an edge strip having a substrate and at least one near-surface layer, wherein the near-surface layer is at least partially composed of a polymer material comprising thermoplastics and / or thermoplastic elastomers, and wherein the near-surface layer has a surface structure, characterized in that the surface structure is produced by a method according to the present invention.

[0011] The use of liquid treatment media allows for high application flexibility while enabling high-quality surface structuring. In particular, it eliminates the need for expensive and complex embossing rollers to create three-dimensional surface patterns. Furthermore, compared to embossing roller methods, this method can be performed simply, at low cost, and in a space-saving manner after the substrate production process. Moreover, by selecting the composition, temperature, or other properties of the treatment medium, a wide variety of surface structuring types can be achieved.

[0012] In the context of this invention, the concept of "substrate" should be understood as a carrier or component having at least one surface. The substrate can be integral or multi-piece, can have a layered structure composed of multiple layers of different materials, can have a sandwich structure, or can be a solid component. In particular, the substrate can be a film, intermediate product, or component used in the manufacture of furniture, flooring, automobiles, windows, or similar objects. Here, the substrate can be provided by injection molding, extrusion, rolling, pressing, or calendering, wherein these processes can be performed individually or in combination. For example, polymeric materials can be first provided by an extruder and then injected into a mold. Furthermore, the substrate can also be provided through several manufacturing steps performed sequentially. An example of this is a substrate provided first by extrusion and then by rolling or calendering.

[0013] The substrate can be provided as an extrudate by extrusion, particularly by co-extrusion or by post-co-extrusion. Co-extrusion can be understood as a process in which at least two polymer materials are simultaneously extruded through a single die. This results in a single extruded product having multiple layers with different compositions that are interconnected. In post-co-extrusion, the at least two polymer materials can merge in a time-delayed manner to form the substrate. For example, a substrate can be first manufactured by a first extruder, and then a surface layer can be applied to the substrate by another extruder connected after the first extruder. Thus, when the surface layer is applied as a melt flow (Schmelzestrom), the substrate may have at least partially solidified.

[0014] The surface of the substrate has at least one polymer material. In this invention, polymer material refers to a chemical substance composed of macromolecules. Here, the macromolecules have one or more identical or different structural units or repeating units. Polymer materials can be produced naturally, i.e., by living organisms, or synthesized. The term polymer material includes thermoplastics, elastomers, thermosetting plastics, and thermoplastic elastomers, etc.

[0015] In this invention, the polymer material comprises thermoplastics and / or thermoplastic elastomers. Thermoplastics, also known as plastomes, specifically refer to plastic materials that are deformable within a specific temperature range. This process is reversible, meaning it can be repeated at any frequency by cooling and reheating to a molten state, as long as there is no thermal decomposition of the material due to overheating. Thermoplastics are therefore distinct from thermosetting plastics and elastomers. Another significant characteristic of thermoplastics is their weldability.

[0016] Thermoplastic elastomers should be understood as materials that exhibit thermoplasticity and thus flowability upon the input of heat. These materials exhibit elasticity at room temperature, particularly at room temperature. Specifically, the elastic properties of polymeric materials are due to the simultaneous presence of physically crystalline or partially crystalline regions and elastic regions within the material at the operating temperature. Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include block copolymers such as thermoplastic styrene elastomers (TPS), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU), thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPA), and thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPC). Additionally, elastomer alloys (so-called blends) such as thermoplastic olefin elastomers (TPO) and thermoplastic rubber vulcanizates (TPV) also belong to the category of thermoplastic elastomers.

[0017] Various thermoplastics and / or thermoplastic elastomers can be used as the polymer material. Advantageously, the polymer material is selected based on the desired substrate surface characteristics, particularly the surface characteristics of films or edge strips. Preferably, the polymer material is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, thermoplastic styrene elastomer (TPS), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU), thermoplastic polyamide elastomer (TPA), thermoplastic copolyester elastomer (TPC), thermoplastic olefin elastomer (TPO), thermoplastic rubber vulcanizates (TPV), and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the polymer material is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.

[0018] The substrate has a surface in which the polymer material is at least partially molten on the surface of the substrate. This molten state is preferably caused by a melting process and corresponds to a liquid or viscous fluid phase of the polymer material on the substrate surface. Within the scope of this invention, the concept of "molten state" includes those phases in which the polymer material has not completely solidified or crystallized. The polymer material on the substrate surface in the molten state preferably has a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the polymer material, particularly at least 15°C higher, preferably at least 20°C higher, more preferably at least 25°C higher, and even more preferably at least 30°C higher, and especially preferably exceeding the melting temperature by a value in the range of 20 to 30°C.

[0019] During the melting process, the polymer material on the substrate surface is subjected to temperature and pressure conditions, which cause the polymer material to undergo a phase transition from a solid to a liquid or viscous state. In particular, during the melting process, the melting temperature or glass transition temperature is exceeded under the pressure conditions.

[0020] A liquid treatment medium is applied to a carrier medium. In the context of this invention, the carrier medium can be a pressure roller, particularly the surface of a pressure roller, a sheet, strip, film, or other object suitable for transferring the liquid treatment medium applied to the carrier medium onto the substrate by contact with the substrate, either alone or in conjunction with a pressure roller.

[0021] The treatment medium can be applied to the carrier medium, for example, by applying it in the form of droplets, by immersion in a bath in which the liquid treatment medium floats on the surface of another liquid, by heat transfer, by scraping, by applying it through a nozzle in which the treatment medium is biased toward the carrier medium under pressure, etc.

[0022] The liquid treatment medium is transferred from a carrier medium to a substrate surface. This transfer is preferably achieved by bringing the carrier medium into contact with the substrate surface. During this process, the carrier medium and the substrate surface can come into contact with each other, especially by being pressed together. Preferably, the transfer process is carried out by applying the pattern on the carrier medium onto the substrate surface.

[0023] The liquid treatment medium is transferred to the surface of the substrate before the polymer material has completely solidified, preferably before the solidification process begins. Alternatively or additionally, the polymer material may be treated with the liquid treatment medium in a liquid, partially liquid, and / or partially solidified phase. In particular, applying the liquid treatment medium to the surface at least partially initiates the solidification of the polymer material on the substrate surface, preferably at the site where the liquid treatment medium contacts the substrate surface. This solidification may occur, for example, due to stronger cooling caused by the treatment medium, particularly at the site of contact with the surface, or by initiating crystallization, for example, through nucleation.

[0024] Here, the concept of "solidification" should include phase transition processes, in which a polymer material changes from at least a partially liquid or viscous state to a solid state, especially from a molten state to a solid state. Complete solidification occurs when the polymer material becomes solid in all its components.

[0025] The transferred processing medium interacts with the substrate surface, thereby creating surface structuring. Examples of interactions, in the context of this invention, include chemical reactions, effects of material properties, and localized acceleration or deceleration of state changes, and this list is not exhaustive.

[0026] Therefore, to obtain surface structuring of the substrate, the processing steps of material extrusion can be omitted or the use of structural elements with three-dimensional embossed surfaces can be eliminated.

[0027] "Surface structuring" should primarily be understood as the targeted matching result of material properties and / or surface material composition. For example, it includes surfaces with corresponding regions exhibiting differences in composition, crystal structure, roughness, refractive index, surface tension coefficient, and light reflectance. This surface structuring can be three-dimensional, especially at the microscopic level. For instance, this three-dimensional surface structuring can be achieved when a surface has regions with varying surface roughness, thereby forming a microscopic surface morphology.

[0028] Surface structuring can endow a surface with a specific appearance and / or specific functionality, especially functions that the surface would not possess in its untreated state. Examples of appearance effects include stone or metal-like surfaces, matte or glossy finishes, special color rendering, and smoothing treatments. Examples of surface functionalization include altering scratch resistance, increasing or decreasing permeability to gases or liquids, changing tolerance to environmental impacts, altering surface tension or surface hardness, antimicrobial properties, self-cleaning properties, and altering sliding properties or wetting behavior.

[0029] When the substrate is provided, that is, before it is treated with a liquid treatment medium, the surface of the substrate may already have a surface structure, such as roughness or pattern caused by previous manufacturing steps.

[0030] Edge strips can be, for example, an extruded profile designed to enhance the aesthetics of furniture or as a transition between floor coverings and walls.

[0031] The edge strip has a substrate and a near-surface layer. Here, the near-surface layer can be a region of the substrate, so the edge strip is solid, and the surface treated by this method is the surface of the substrate. The near-surface layer can also be a layer with a different material composition than the substrate. Alternatively, the near-surface layer can have the same material composition as the substrate, but be manufactured separately from the substrate and subsequently disposed on the substrate surface or attached to the substrate.

[0032] Preferably, the thickness of the near-surface layer is equal to or greater than the depth of surface structuring. This allows the properties of the near-surface layer to be used for surface structuring, while the substrate can, for example, serve as a lower-cost support. Alternatively, or at least regionally, the thickness of the near-surface layer can be less than the depth of surface structuring. Thus, the properties of both the near-surface layer and the substrate disposed beneath it can contribute to the aesthetic and / or functional effects of the surface structuring.

[0033] The surface structuring of the edge strips is produced by the method according to the invention. For example, the repeating pattern length of such surface structuring... The repeating pattern length is longer compared to the surface treated by the embossing roller.

[0034] The methods described below and the various embodiments of the edge strip can be combined with each other arbitrarily. Furthermore, the method steps can be performed in any order, but are preferably performed in the given order.

[0035] In a first embodiment of the method, the polymer material on the substrate surface has been cooled and solidified at least once, and in order to provide a substrate with the surface, the polymer material is returned to a molten state.

[0036] Therefore, the substrate can be stored and / or transported as an intermediate product after its manufacture, and then its surface can be treated. This also allows the substrate to be supplied as an injection molded part, wherein the substrate is injected into a mold and has been cooled at least once, for example, by the mold itself.

[0037] The process of returning to a molten state is preferably achieved through a method step prior to applying a liquid treatment medium to the surface, in which the polymer material on the substrate surface is heated.

[0038] In another embodiment, the substrate is formed as a single layer or multiple layers, particularly a sandwich structure.

[0039] This allows for the production of final products that possess specific properties in terms of cost savings and / or specific applications, while also offering relatively high design freedom in terms of aesthetics and / or functionality.

[0040] In another embodiment of the method, the substrate is provided in the form of a co-extruded edge strip having a near-surface layer and a matrix, wherein the near-surface layer has a first polymer material having a first melt viscosity and the matrix has a second polymer material having a second melt viscosity, and the first melt viscosity is less than the second melt viscosity.

[0041] In a corresponding edge strip embodiment, the substrate has a first polymer material, wherein the first polymer material comprises a first thermoplastic and / or a first thermoplastic elastomer. Furthermore, at least one near-surface layer comprises a second polymer material and is disposed on the outer side of the substrate, wherein the second polymer material comprises a second thermoplastic and / or a second thermoplastic elastomer, and the first polymer material differs from the second polymer material.

[0042] Therefore, a substrate with a matrix and a near-surface layer is provided, both having different solidification temperatures. In other words, the substrate can be provided such that the matrix is ​​in a solid state while the near-surface layer is in a molten state. This avoids changes in matrix properties that could lead to a molten state, while creating optimal conditions for surface structuring in the near-surface layer.

[0043] In another embodiment of the method, the substrate is provided as an extruder, and the substrate is applied with a liquid treatment medium before the cooling step begins.

[0044] Therefore, substrates such as extruded profiles can be processed industrially. Furthermore, existing production lines can be retrofitted or equipped with this method.

[0045] Preferably, the liquid treatment medium is applied to the surface immediately upon discharge from the extruder. Therefore, this method can be performed after the manufacturing step of the extrusion process. This allows, for example, optimization of the overall production time for edge strips with surface structure.

[0046] The cooling step can be actively assisted, for example by using cooling or cooled rollers, by applying cold mist, by quenching, or similar methods. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling step can also be accomplished by storing the product in air.

[0047] In another embodiment of the method, the substrate is provided as an injection molded part manufactured by an injection molding method, wherein the polymer material is returned to a molten state after the injection molding process.

[0048] Injection molding is a commonly used method that enables high-volume production in a short time. Typically, material is injected into a mold in a liquid or viscous state, then cooled within the mold to achieve the desired shape. The method described in this embodiment allows for surface treatment of the resulting injection-molded parts, imparting surface structure. This enables industrial-scale product manufacturing. Furthermore, subsequent heating or remelting of the surface provides greater logistical flexibility, as the injection-molded parts can be stored, transported, or subjected to similar operations before surface treatment with a liquid treatment medium, without compromising the quality of the surface structure.

[0049] Preferably, the surface of the substrate or polymer material is brought to a molten state by heating. Heating can be performed, in particular, by heat lamps, heat radiators, and / or lasers.

[0050] In another embodiment of the method, a liquid treatment medium is applied to a carrier medium according to a predetermined pattern, and the pattern is reproduced when the liquid treatment medium is transferred from the carrier medium to the surface of the substrate, thereby making the surface structuring correspond to the pattern.

[0051] By pre-determining the desired pattern, the same surface structuring can be reproduced from one substrate to another, improving the repeatability of the method and the reliability of the results. Furthermore, patterns can be planned and designed on demand to impart appropriate aesthetics and / or functionality to the surface of the substrate.

[0052] The pattern can be two-dimensional. In this case, the pattern extends primarily in a plane. The result of this method is to obtain a substrate with a substantially flat surface, on which the pattern is reflected.

[0053] The pattern can be three-dimensional. This refers to a three-dimensional morphology, particularly visible at the microscopic level, such as variations in surface roughness and / or atomic arrangement on the substrate. Therefore, a substrate with matte and glossy areas on its surface can be a result of this method.

[0054] The pattern can be selected based on the desired appearance and / or specific functionality, especially those functionalities that are not present when the surface is untreated.

[0055] Liquid treatment media can be used under pressure and applied to the surface of a carrier medium by means of a nozzle, pressure head and / or by means of a shield to reproduce a predetermined pattern on the surface of the carrier medium.

[0056] In another embodiment of the method, the liquid treatment medium has properties selected based on the properties of at least one polymer material.

[0057] This allows for the tailoring of liquid treatment media to the surface to be treated. This expands the application range of the method, as it can handle substrates with different compositions, especially those with different types of polymer materials. Different types of surface structuring can be achieved through this method, whether in terms of specific optical appearance, tactile feel, or functionality.

[0058] Examples of polymer material properties include: temperature at which the substrate is provided, melt viscosity, thermal conductivity, heat capacity, scratch resistance, elastic modulus, plastic modulus, hardness, flowability, microstructure, nanostructure, polymer chain arrangement, crystal arrangement, color, light transmittance, reflectivity, surface tension, charge, polarity, dielectric constant, electrical conductivity, surface roughness, chemical resistance, pH value, etc. In the case of polymer materials comprising at least two different polymer materials, the liquid processing medium can be selected based on consideration of at least one property of each polymer material.

[0059] Examples of properties of liquid treatment media include: dosage, temperature when the liquid treatment medium is applied to the surface, boiling point, thermal conductivity, heat capacity, flowability, microstructure, nanostructure, polymer chain arrangement, crystal arrangement, color, light transmittance, reflectivity, surface tension, charge, polarity, dielectric constant, electrical conductivity, density, viscosity, thixotropy, etc. Here, for example, the viscosity or thixotropy of the treatment medium may affect its flow behavior on the surface to be treated.

[0060] For example, the temperature of the processing medium and the surface can be set so that the processing medium evaporates after being transferred to the surface.

[0061] A variety of treatment media are suitable for this method. The treatment media should be selected according to the desired properties of the edge strips or the surface structure to be produced. Preferred treatment media are selected from the group consisting of: water, nucleating agents; dyes; ultraviolet pigments; antimicrobial agents; gloss modifiers; matting agents and mixtures thereof.

[0062] In another embodiment of the method, the liquid treatment medium contains at least one nucleating agent.

[0063] By applying a nucleating agent to the surface, the number of nucleation sites generated at the beginning of the crystallization process of the polymer material is increased, at least locally. This allows for structuring, for example, polymers with different volumes in the crystalline and amorphous states. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the polymer material can be improved and crystallization accelerated, which in turn increases the processing speed.

[0064] Examples of nucleating agents include: dibenzyl sorbitol (DBS), p-methyl dibenzyl sorbitol (MDBS), p-ethyl dibenzyl sorbitol (DMDBS), sodium 2,2'-methylene bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, aluminum bis(4-tert-butylbenzoic acid) hydroxide, N,N'-dicyclohexyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxamide, 4-biphenylcarboxylic acid, thymine, talc, and sodium benzoate.

[0065] In another embodiment of the method, the liquid treatment medium contains at least one additive, particularly additives from the following list: dyes; ultraviolet pigments; antimicrobial agents; gloss modifiers; matting agents.

[0066] This allows for multiple effects to be achieved simultaneously, such as improving the mechanical and optical properties of polymer materials on the treated surface.

[0067] In another embodiment of the method, the polymer material of the substrate has been selected based on its melt viscosity.

[0068] In particular, optimal surface structuring can be achieved by selecting polymer materials based on melt viscosity and liquid processing media based on melt viscosity.

[0069] In another embodiment of the method, two or more portions of the treatment medium are transferred to the surface of a substrate, wherein each portion of the treatment medium has a different temperature. Alternatively, at least one first and a second treatment medium may be transferred to the surface of the substrate.

[0070] Due to the different temperatures, heterogeneous surface structuring can be achieved. An example is surface structuring with matte and glossy regions.

[0071] These liquid treatment media may have the same composition, but are placed in separate containers at a predetermined temperature and then applied to the surface simultaneously or with a time delay between them.

[0072] The at least two liquid treatment media may differ from each other in composition or physical state, and may be applied to the surface simultaneously or with time delay between each other.

[0073] Alternatively or additionally, at least one first and second treatment media may be provided and applied to the surface, wherein the first treatment media has different polarity, solubility and / or surface tension than the second treatment media.

[0074] In another embodiment of the method, the liquid processing medium is applied to the carrier medium by an inkjet method.

[0075] Inkjet printing allows for precise application to locally defined surface areas of a carrier medium, thereby indirectly achieving high-quality structuring of the substrate surface.

[0076] In another embodiment of the method, the liquid treatment medium is applied to the carrier medium by an air-brush method or a luftpinsel method.

[0077] In another embodiment of the method, high-speed atomization is employed. The liquid treatment medium is applied to the carrier medium.

[0078] This allows for the application of treatment to a relatively large surface area of ​​the carrier medium in a single process.

[0079] Overall, the advantage of these implementations is that they can be implemented using or matched with existing equipment.

[0080] In another embodiment of the method, after the liquid treatment medium is transferred to the surface of the substrate, the surface of the substrate is post-treated, particularly in the cooling and / or fixing steps.

[0081] This allows for the permanent fixation of surface structure or enhances its durability. Furthermore, the surface with surface structure can be further treated with agents such as varnishes, resins, or primers to form an additional layer on the surface structure, and / or subjected to plasma treatment.

[0082] In another embodiment of the method, the temperature of the carrier medium is selected based on the characteristics of the liquid treatment medium and / or the characteristics of the polymer material on the substrate surface.

[0083] For example, the carrier medium temperature can be selected such that the characteristics of the processing medium applied to the carrier medium, especially the temperature, can be controlled.

[0084] In another embodiment of the method, the material composition of the carrier medium, particularly the surface material composition of the carrier medium, is selected based on the characteristics of the liquid treatment medium and / or the characteristics of the polymer material on the substrate surface.

[0085] This method allows for targeted utilization of the interaction between the processing medium and the carrier medium, for example, to influence the transfer of the processing medium from the carrier medium to the substrate surface. The carrier medium may, for example, contain steel or plastic.

[0086] In another embodiment of the method, to achieve the transfer of the liquid treatment medium from the carrier medium to the substrate surface, the substrate at least partially surrounds the carrier medium at a specific wrapping angle, and this wrapping angle is selected based on the characteristics of the liquid treatment medium and / or on the characteristics of the polymer material on the substrate surface. Alternatively, the wrapping angle is selected based on the desired surface structuring characteristics.

[0087] Especially when the carrier medium is a pressure roller or has pressure roller elements, this allows for control over the convergence of the substrate and the carrier medium, particularly the duration of contact between the substrate and the carrier medium. Increasing the wrapping angle prolongs the contact time between the carrier medium and the substrate surface, while decreasing the wrapping angle shortens the contact time.

[0088] Furthermore, by changing the wrapping angle, the force transmission between the carrier medium and the substrate surface can be matched.

[0089] In another embodiment of the edge strip, a first near-surface layer is provided on a first side of the substrate, and a second near-surface layer is provided on a second side of the substrate opposite to the first side. Furthermore, the first near-surface layer has a first surface structure, and the second near-surface layer has a second surface structure, wherein both the first and second surface structures are generated by the method according to the present invention.

[0090] Therefore, edge strips with surface structured features on both sides can be provided. Here, the first and second surface structured features can be different from each other.

[0091] In another embodiment of the edge strip, the first surface structuring and the second surface structuring have different optical patterns and / or different surface properties.

[0092] Such edge strips can be adapted for their intended subsequent use, such as in the furniture manufacturing industry. Furthermore, this eliminates the need for additional surface treatment steps. Attached Figure Description

[0093] Other features and advantages of the method and edge strips can be derived from the following description of the embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0094] In the attached diagram:

[0095] Figure 1 A flowchart of one embodiment of a method for treating a surface is shown;

[0096] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a first embodiment for applying a processing medium onto a carrier medium is shown;

[0097] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another embodiment for applying a processing medium onto a carrier medium is shown;

[0098] Figure 4 An embodiment of a method for treating a surface is shown;

[0099] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a patterned substrate is shown;

[0100] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the edge strip is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0101] Figure 1A flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method for treating a surface is shown. In a first step A, a liquid treatment medium is applied to a carrier medium. Then, in step B, the liquid treatment medium is transferred from the carrier medium to a substrate surface. The substrate has a surface containing a thermoplastic. In step B, the thermoplastic is at a temperature above its melting temperature and is in a molten state. The transfer of the treatment medium from the carrier medium to the substrate surface in step B occurs before the polymer material has completely solidified, preferably before the polymer material begins the solidification process. In step C, the transferred treatment medium interacts with the substrate surface, thereby forming a surface structure on the substrate surface.

[0102] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a first embodiment for applying a processing medium to a carrier medium is shown. The figure shows a carrier medium 4 in the form of a thin film made of plastic, having a surface 2. The carrier medium 4 moves from left to right and passes over an application module 6. The application module 6 is equipped with an inkjet head 8 and is located above the surface 2 of the carrier medium 4. The application module 6 applies a processing medium 10 in the form of droplets 12 onto the surface 2 of the carrier medium 4 moving below it. After the application process, i.e.... Figure 2 On the right side of the application module 6, the processing medium 10 is applied to the carrier medium 4 with the pattern 14.

[0103] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another embodiment for applying a processing medium onto a carrier medium is shown. Figure 3 The image shows a carrier medium 20 in the form of a steel plate with a surface 22, moving from left to right, and also shows a first application module 24 with a first inkjet head 26 and a first processing medium 28. Additionally, with... Figure 2 Unlike other embodiments, this one includes a second application module 30 with a second inkjet head 32, positioned above the carrier medium 20 after the first application module 24 in the direction of movement of the strip 20. The second application module 30 applies a second processing medium 34 onto the surface 22 of the carrier medium 20. The first processing medium 28 contains a first gloss modifier, and the second processing medium 34 contains a second gloss modifier, wherein the first and second gloss modifiers are different. After sequential application of the processing medium, i.e. Figure 3 On the right side, the surface 22 of the carrier medium 20 has a pattern 36, which is formed by processing media 28 and 34 and transferred to the surface of the substrate in a further step.

[0104] Figure 4A schematic diagram of one embodiment of a method for treating a surface is shown. A substrate 50 in the form of an extruded profile 52 is provided as it exits an extruder 54. The substrate 50 has a first surface 56 and a second surface 58, each having a thermoplastic material that remains in a molten state during the manufacturing process using the extruder 54.

[0105] A first application module 60, a second application module 64, a first carrier medium 62, and a second carrier medium 66 are provided along the movement direction of the extruded profile 52. The first application module 60 faces the first carrier medium 62, and the first carrier medium 62 maintains contact with the first surface 56 of the substrate 50. The second application module 64 faces the second carrier medium 66, and the second carrier medium 66 maintains contact with the second surface 58 of the substrate 50.

[0106] A first liquid treatment medium 68 is applied to a first carrier medium 62 using a first application module 60. Through the rotational movement of the first carrier medium 62 (in the form of a pressure roller) and its contact with the first surface 56 of the substrate 50, the first treatment medium 68 is transferred from the first carrier medium 62 to the first surface 56. Similarly, a second treatment medium 70 is applied to a second carrier medium 66 and transferred from the second carrier medium 66 to the second surface 58 of the substrate 50.

[0107] As a result, such Figure 4 On the right side, the substrate 50 or the extruded profile 52 has a first surface structure 72 with antibacterial effect on the first surface 56, and a second surface structure 74 with improved Vickers hardness on the second surface 58.

[0108] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a substrate 80 in the form of a thin film 82 is shown, the surface 84 of which is treated by applying a liquid treatment medium. Surface 84 has matte regions 86 and glossy regions 88, which form a speckled pattern. In the matte regions 86, surface 84 has a higher surface roughness than the glossy regions 88, thereby forming a three-dimensional morphology at the microscopic level.

[0109] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the edge strip 100 is shown. The edge strip 100 has a substrate 102 with a first polymer material and a near-surface layer 104 partially covering the substrate 102 with a second polymer material. The first polymer material has higher strength than the second polymer material and serves as a load-bearing material for the decorative or functional near-surface layer 104.

[0110] The near-surface layer 104, located on the first side of the substrate 102, has a first surface structure 106, which is generated by the interaction of the near-surface layer 104 and a treatment medium in the form of a nucleating agent. The near-surface layer 104 also has another region, located on the second side of the substrate 102, with a second surface structure 108 having a relatively high surface roughness. The second surface structure 108 prevents the multiple edge strips 100 from sticking together when stacked.

Claims

1. A method for treating surfaces (56, 58, 84), - In the method, a substrate (50, 80) having surfaces (56, 58, 84) is provided. - wherein the surfaces (56, 58, 84) are at least partially composed of a polymer material. - The polymer material comprises thermoplastics and / or thermoplastic elastomers, and - The polymer material is at least partially molten on the surfaces (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80), and - In the method, liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) are applied to carrier media (4, 20, 62, 66). Its features are, - Before the polymer material completely solidifies, the liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) are transferred from the carrier media (4, 20, 62, 66) to the surface (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80), and - The transferred liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) interacts with the surface (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80) to create a surface structuring (72, 74, 86, 88, 106, 108) on the surface (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80).

2. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, Before the solidification process of the polymer material begins, the liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) is transferred from the carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) to the surface (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80).

3. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, - The polymer material on the surfaces (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80) has been cooled and solidified at least once, and - In order to provide a substrate (50, 80) with surfaces (56, 58, 84), the polymer material is transformed back into a molten state.

4. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The substrate (50, 80) is formed as a single layer or multiple layers.

5. The method according to claim 4, Its features are, The substrate (50, 80) is formed as a sandwich structure.

6. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, - The substrate (50, 80) is provided in the form of a co-extruded edge strip (100) having a near-surface layer (104) and a matrix (102), wherein the near-surface layer (104) has a first polymer material having a first melt viscosity and the matrix (102) has a second polymer material having a second melt viscosity, and - The first melt viscosity is less than the second melt viscosity.

7. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, - The substrates (50, 80) are provided in the form of an extrusion (52), and - Before the cooling step begins, the substrate (50, 80) is treated with a liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70).

8. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The substrate (50, 80) is provided as an injection molded part manufactured by an injection molding method, wherein the polymer material is once again transferred to a molten state after the injection molding process.

9. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, - The liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) are applied to the carrier media (4, 20, 62, 66) according to a predetermined pattern, and - When the liquid processing media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) are transferred from the carrier media (4, 20, 62, 66) to the surface (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80), the pattern is reproduced such that the surface structuring (72, 74, 86, 88, 106, 108) conforms to the pattern.

10. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) have properties selected based on at least one characteristic of the polymer material.

11. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) contains at least one nucleating agent.

12. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) contain at least one additive.

13. The method according to claim 12, Its features are, The liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) contain at least one additive selected from the following list: dye; ultraviolet pigment; antimicrobial agent; gloss modifier.

14. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The polymer material of the substrate (50, 80) is selected based on its melt viscosity.

15. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, - Transfer two or more portions of liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) onto the surface (56, 58, 84) of a substrate (50, 80), wherein the two or more portions of liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) have different temperatures. or - Transfer at least one first liquid treatment medium and a second liquid treatment medium onto the surface (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80).

16. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, Liquid processing media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) are applied to carrier media (4, 20, 62, 66) using an inkjet process.

17. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, Liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) are applied to carrier media (4, 20, 62, 66) by air brushing or air pen brushing.

18. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, Liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) are applied to carrier media (4, 20, 62, 66) using a high-speed rotary atomization process.

19. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, After the liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) are transferred onto the surfaces (56, 58, 84) of the substrates (50, 80), the surfaces (56, 58, 84) of the substrates (50, 80) are post-treated.

20. The method according to claim 19, Its features are, After the liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) are transferred onto the surfaces (56, 58, 84) of the substrates (50, 80), the surfaces (56, 58, 84) of the substrates (50, 80) are post-treated in a cooling step and / or a fixing step.

21. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The temperature of the carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) is selected based on the characteristics of the liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) and / or the characteristics of the polymer material on the surface of the substrate (50, 80).

22. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The material composition of the carrier media (4, 20, 62, 66) is selected based on the characteristics of the liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) and / or the characteristics of the polymer material on the surface of the substrate (50, 80).

23. The method according to claim 22, Its features are, The material composition of the carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) surface (2, 22) is selected based on the characteristics of the liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) and / or the characteristics of the polymer material on the substrate (50, 80) surface.

24. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, - In order to transfer liquid processing media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) from carrier media (4, 20, 62, 66) to the surface (56, 58, 84) of substrate (50, 80), the substrate (50, 80) at least partially surrounds the carrier media (4, 20, 62, 66) with an enveloping angle. - The wrap angle is selected based on the characteristics of the liquid processing medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) and / or the characteristics of the polymer material on the substrate surface (50, 80); or - The wrap angle is selected based on the characteristics of the target surface structuring (72, 74, 86, 88, 106, 108).

25. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, - The manufactured surface structures (72, 74, 86, 88, 106, 108) are surface structures (72, 74, 86, 88, 106, 108) of an edge strip (100), the edge strip having - matrix (102) and - At least one near-surface layer (104). - wherein at least one near-surface layer (104) is at least partially composed of a polymer material, - The polymer material comprises thermoplastics and / or thermoplastic elastomers, and - The near-surface layer (104) therein has surface structure (72, 74, 86, 88, 106, 108).

26. The method according to claim 25, Its features are, - The matrix (102) has a first polymer material, wherein the first polymer material comprises a first thermoplastic and / or a first thermoplastic elastomer. - The at least one near-surface layer (104) has a second polymer material and is disposed on the outside of the substrate (102), wherein the second polymer material comprises a second thermoplastic and / or a second thermoplastic elastomer, and - The first polymer material is different from the second polymer material.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, Its features are, - A first near-surface layer is provided on a first side of the substrate (102), and a second near-surface layer is provided on a second side of the substrate (102) opposite to the first side of the substrate (102), and - The first near-surface layer has a first surface structure, and the second near-surface layer has a second surface structure. - Both the first surface structuring and the second surface structuring are made by the method of any one of claims 1 to 24.

28. The method according to claim 27, Its features are, - The first surface structuring has different optical patterns and / or different surface properties than the second surface structuring.

29. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, The polymer material is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, thermoplastic styrene elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, thermoplastic polyamide elastomer, thermoplastic copolyester elastomer, thermoplastic olefin elastomer, thermoplastic rubber vulcanizates and mixtures thereof.

30. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, The polymer material on the surface (2, 22, 56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80) in the molten state has a temperature exceeding the melting temperature of the polymer material.

31. The method according to claim 30, Its features are, The temperature of the polymer material on the surface (2, 22, 56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80) in the molten state exceeds the melting temperature of the polymer material by at least 15°C.

32. The method according to claim 30, Its features are, The temperature of the polymer material on the surface (2, 22, 56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80) in the molten state exceeds the melting temperature of the polymer material by at least 20°C.

33. The method according to claim 30, Its features are, The temperature of the polymer material on the surface (2, 22, 56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80) in the molten state exceeds the melting temperature of the polymer material by at least 25°C.

34. The method according to claim 30, Its features are, The temperature of the polymer material on the surface (2, 22, 56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80) in the molten state exceeds the melting temperature of the polymer material by at least 30°C.

35. The method according to claim 30, Its features are, The temperature of the polymer material on the surface (2, 22, 56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80) in the molten state exceeds the melting temperature of the polymer material by a temperature value in the range of 20 to 30°C.

36. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, The carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) is a pressure roller, sheet, strip, film, or other object suitable for transferring liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) applied to the carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) onto the substrate (50, 80) by contact with the substrate (50, 80), either alone or in conjunction with the pressure roller.

37. The method according to claim 36, Its features are, The carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) is the surface of the pressure roller.

38. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, The liquid treatment medium is applied to the carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) by means of droplet application, by immersion bath in which the liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) floats on the surface of another liquid, by heat transfer, by scraping, or by nozzle application, wherein the liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) is biased toward the carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) under pressure.

39. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, - Transfer printing is achieved by bringing the carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) into contact with the surfaces (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80); - Wherein the carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) is in contact with the surface (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80).

40. The method according to claim 39, Its features are, The carrier medium (4, 20, 62, 66) is pressed against the surface (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80).

41. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, The base material (50, 80) is a solid component.

42. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, The substrate (50, 80) is a film, intermediate product or component used in the production of furniture, flooring, automobiles or windows.

43. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or 9 to 24. Its features are, - The substrate (50, 80) is prepared in the form of an extrusion (52) by post-co-extrusion, wherein the matrix is ​​generated by a first extruder and then a surface layer is applied to the matrix by a second extruder connected after the first extruder, wherein the matrix is ​​at least partially solidified when the surface layer is applied as a melt flow.

44. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, Surface structuring (72, 74, 86, 88, 106, 108) corresponds to the imitation of wood grain, stone or metal surfaces.

45. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, The surfaces (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80) already have a surface structure when provided, i.e. before being treated with the liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70).

46. ​​The method according to claim 45, Its features are, The surface structure is the roughness or patterning resulting from previous manufacturing steps.

47. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, - Surface structuring (72, 74, 86, 88, 106, 108) is surface functionalization. - The surface functionalization described therein has effects from the following list: altering scratch resistance, increasing or decreasing permeability to gases or liquids, altering tolerance to environmental effects, altering surface tension or surface hardness, antimicrobial effects, self-cleaning effects, altering sliding properties or wetting behavior.

48. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, The liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 64, 66) contain at least one nucleating agent, wherein the at least one nucleating agent is selected from the following list: dibenzyl sorbitol, p-methyl dibenzyl sorbitol, p-ethyl dibenzyl sorbitol, sodium 2,2'-methylene bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate, aluminum di(4-tert-butylbenzoic acid) hydroxide, N,N'-dicyclohexyl-2,6-naphthalenediamide, 4-biphenylcarboxylic acid, thymine, talc, and sodium benzoate.

49. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, The temperatures of the liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) and the surface (56, 58, 84) are selected such that the liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) evaporates after being transferred to the surface (56, 58, 84).

50. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, - Transfer two or more portions of liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) onto the surface (56, 58, 84) of a substrate (50, 80), wherein the multiple portions of liquid treatment medium (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) have different temperatures; and - The multiple liquid treatment media (10, 28, 34, 68, 70) have the same composition, but are placed in different containers at a predetermined temperature before being applied to the surface (56, 58, 84) simultaneously or with a time difference relative to each other.

51. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, - Transfer at least one first liquid treatment medium and a second liquid treatment medium onto the surfaces (56, 58, 84) of the substrate (50, 80). - wherein the first liquid treatment medium and the second liquid treatment medium are different in composition or physical state and can be applied to the surfaces (56, 58, 84) simultaneously or with a time delay between them.

52. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, Its features are, - Provide at least one first liquid treatment medium and a second liquid treatment medium and apply them to the surfaces (56, 58, 84). - Wherein the first liquid treatment medium and the second liquid treatment medium have different polarities, solubilities and / or surface tensions.

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