Winter sports equipment containing a rubber layer coated with a fiber material, method for its production

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a winter sports device, such as a ski or a snowboard, for gliding on snow and a method for producing this winter sports device.

[0002] Popular winter sports equipment for gliding on snow, especially skis and snowboards, are now constructed from multiple layers, forming a composite or sandwich component, which can also be referred to as a composite structure. The composite layers are typically glued or bonded together. Depending on the specific design of the ski or snowboard, rubber sheets are inserted at specific positions between individual layers for various reasons. The rubber sheets decouple the adjacent layers, allowing tensions between the layers, for example, due to temperature fluctuations, to be compensated. Furthermore, a rubber sheet can provide cushioning and / or prevent moisture from penetrating between the layers.

[0003] In other composite structures, rubber foils are also placed between individual layers, for example, in the automotive or aircraft industries. These composite structures, also known as composite structures, allow for the targeted adjustment of properties through the use of different materials that cannot normally be achieved with a single material.

[0004] JP H09226057 A discloses a vibration-damping structure comprising two layers: a rubber layer and a textile layer. The textile layer is rolled onto the rubber layer and subsequently vulcanized.

[0005] US 2,773,795 relates to rubber / textile laminates, for example for use in tires.

[0006] DE 2 939 637 relates to a method for producing an endless printing belt of a device for continuously pressing and decatizing woven fabrics, knitted fabrics and the like.

[0007] WO 2006 / 122749 A1 relates to a composite component comprising at least two layers, wherein a first layer consists at least partially of a thermosetting synthetic resin and wherein a second layer consists at least partially of an elastomer, wherein the at least one first layer consisting partially of a thermosetting synthetic resin and the at least one second layer consisting at least partially of an elastomer provided with a crosslinker are joined together in one operation by an energy input, such as a common heat treatment or irradiation.

[0008] US 2010 / 0168704 A1 relates to a method for forming an elastic composite from a laminate comprising an elastic film and a non-woven coating.

[0009] DE 4 018 108 A1 relates to metal components made of a shaped metal substrate with a rubber coating for the production of plastic articles.

[0010] CH 662 952 A5 relates to a method for producing a sandwich-type ski board by alternately superimposing layers of sheet metal and elastomer foil and using adhesive systems that are bonded to the layers by pressing.

[0011] Composite structures are used particularly in highly stressed components. For example, a ski or snowboard is exposed to considerable static and dynamic loads during use. The fundamental problem is that with rubber films, which typically have a relatively smooth surface, a reliable bond with the adjacent layers cannot be guaranteed.

[0012] Therefore, rubber films have been developed which, through a special surface treatment, have a surface structure which already ensures very good bonding properties.

[0013] The invention is based on the object of providing a film and a method for producing a film that ensure excellent bondability in a particularly economical manner. The object of the invention is also to provide a cost-effective and stable winter sports device for gliding on skis.

[0014] The object is achieved according to the invention by a multi-layer winter sports device for gliding on snow having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified and further explained in the dependent claims and the following description, particularly in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

[0015] The film, which is particularly intended and suitable for use as an intermediate layer in a composite or sandwich component, comprises a rubber layer with a substantially flat upper side and a substantially flat underside. According to the invention, the upper side and / or the underside of the rubber layer is coated with a woven fabric, a knitted fabric and / or a nonwoven fabric. In the method according to the invention for producing a film, in particular a film according to the invention, a rubber layer with a substantially flat upper side and a substantially flat underside is provided and the upper side and / or the underside of the rubber layer is coated with a woven fabric, a knitted fabric and / or a nonwoven fabric.The composite component according to the invention, which can be a multi-layer winter sports device for gliding on snow, in particular a ski or a snowboard, comprises a plurality of interconnected layers, with an elastic film arranged between adjacent layers, which is bonded to the adjacent layers by means of an adhesive. A film according to the invention is used as the elastic film.

[0016] The invention also fundamentally relates to the use of a film according to the invention as an intermediate layer in a multi-layer winter sports device for gliding on snow, particularly preferably a ski or snowboard. It is understood that the additional and preferred features of the film according to the invention can also be applied in the composite component.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention also fundamentally relates to a method for bonding layers of a composite or sandwich component together, wherein an adhesive layer is applied to a film according to the invention, in particular over the entire surface, one-sidedly or two-sidedly, and the film is bonded to at least one adjacent layer of the composite component, in particular over the entire surface. It is understood that the additional and preferred features of the film according to the invention can also be applied in the method.

[0018] By coating the rubber layer with a fiber or thread material (woven, knitted, or nonwoven), particularly good and even wettability of the film surface is achieved. Due to the threads / fibers, the woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric forms a continuously porous structure on the film surface into which an adhesive can penetrate. Because a woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric consists exclusively of threads or fibers, there are no flat areas that might be poorly wetted. An adhesive applied to the woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric therefore evenly wets the rubber layer beneath or behind the coating. The formation of so-called "wetting pockets," which in the prior art could potentially lead to bonding difficulties and increased production costs or waste, is effectively prevented.

[0019] The coating thus provides a homogeneous (evenly) structured surface of the film, which is highly wettable. This enables particularly reliable bonding, which in turn enables the particularly reliable production of a composite component with the lowest possible waste. Consequently, manufacturing costs can be reduced and the overall quality of a composite component can be increased.

[0020] To ensure the film's particularly good wettability with an adhesive, the woven, knitted, and / or nonwoven fabric preferably forms the outer side of the film. The woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric is therefore at least not completely embedded in the rubber layer, but rather applied to the rubber layer from the outside and exposed to the environment. In this way, the film has a coating of woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric on its outer side.

[0021] The rubber layer is in particular a rubber film, i.e. a thin, sheet-like layer made of a rubber material. Rubber is a material made from vulcanized rubber (natural rubber and / or synthetic rubber) and belongs to the group of elastomers. The rubber layer or rubber film preferably contains elastomers, such as ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or natural rubber. The hardness is preferably 50 to 80 Shore A. The tear strength is preferably at least 4 N / mm², particularly preferably at least 8 N / mm². The elongation at break is at least 50%, preferably at least 200%, according to the invention. The drum peel strength is at least 1 N / m, according to the invention.

[0022] A woven fabric within the meaning of the invention is understood in particular to be a manually or mechanically manufactured weaving product made of at least two interlaced thread systems, for example, cloth, velvet, velour, plush, terry cloth, or another fabric. A knitted fabric within the meaning of the invention is understood in particular to be a material industrially produced by stitch formation on a knitting machine. A nonwoven fabric or fleece within the meaning of the invention is understood in particular to be a structure made of fibers of limited length, continuous fibers, or cut yarns of any type and of any origin, which are joined and bonded together.

[0023] The woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric is preferably bonded to the rubber layer in a material-to-material manner, in particular pressed onto the rubber layer and / or pressed into the rubber layer. The material-to-material connection is preferably achieved without any additional material, in particular without the use of an adhesive. The material-to-material connection can be achieved, for example, by calendering the base material (rubber layer, rubber film) with the coating (woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric). The rubber layer and coating form a non-detachable bond or a non-detachable unit. The film according to the invention can therefore also be referred to as a composite material (composite film). Here, flat layers, namely preferably a pure rubber film and a woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric, are bonded to one another in a material-to-material and, if appropriate, additionally in a form-fitting manner.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment, the coating of the rubber film according to the invention ensures that the rubber layer is in contact with the environment via gaps in the woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric. The gaps naturally formed between the threads or fibers in the woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric are therefore not, or at least not completely, closed by the material of the rubber layer. In other words, the rubber layer penetrates at most partially into the spaces between the threads or fibers and is in contact with the environment via the remaining spaces, so that adhesive can penetrate into the spaces up to the rubber layer and spread there. The outer side of the film according to the invention is open-pored, i.e. not sealed in such a way that the spaces between the threads or fibers are closed.

[0025] According to the invention, the film can be coated either on one side or both sides with the woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric. Depending on the application, in particular depending on the adjacent material to be bonded to the film, a one-sided or double-sided coating can be advantageous. The top and bottom sides can also be coated differently, with any combination of woven, knitted and nonwoven fabric being conceivable. Thus, for example, both the top and bottom sides can be coated, with the two sides being coated with different structures (woven, knitted, nonwoven fabric). For example, a first side can be coated with a woven fabric and a second side with a knitted and / or nonwoven fabric. In principle, it is also conceivable to use different thicknesses and / or different materials of the woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric on the top and bottom of the film.In this way, the film can be specifically adapted to its intended use in a composite component, in particular to the adjacent materials and / or to different adhesives.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment, the rubber layer or rubber film coated with the woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric has a structured surface. The woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric is therefore applied to an already structured rubber layer, so that at the transition between the rubber layer and the woven, knitted or nonwoven fabric, a surface structure in the form of elevations and depressions is already present, which further increases the wettability of the film. The adhesive can thus penetrate through the gaps in the woven, knitted or nonwoven fabric to the surface of the rubber layer, where it wets the rubber layer thoroughly due to the surface structure present there. This ensures reliable wetting of the surface of the rubber layer and thus secure and firm bonding of the film.

[0027] It is further preferred that the film is etched. The etching of the film can serve in particular to provide a structured surface and can generally take place before or after coating with the woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric. The etching thus refers to the rubber layer or rubber film and / or the end product (film) produced by coating. Etching is understood in particular to mean a treatment of the surface, in particular the surface of the uncoated or coated rubber layer. The treatment serves to change the surface, in particular to roughen it. Alternatively or additionally, the woven, knitted or nonwoven fabric itself can also be provided with a coating, for example an adhesion promoter. Different coatings of the woven, knitted and / or nonwoven fabric (for example on the top and bottom sides of the film) can also be provided.

[0028] With regard to the method according to the invention, it is preferred that the woven, knitted, and / or nonwoven fabric be pressed with the rubber layer, particularly in a calender. Calendering the coating, particularly under heat, achieves a stable bond. The film layers are bonded to one another, preferably in a cohesive and permanent (non-removable) manner, by calendering. Preferably, no adhesive is used for the cohesive bond.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment, the rubber layer is vulcanized after being coated with the woven, knitted, and / or nonwoven fabric. Vulcanization, in a generally known manner, renders the rubber (or caoutchouc) resistant to mechanical stress and transforms it from a plastic to an elastic state. However, vulcanization can also generally occur simultaneously with the calendering of the woven, knitted, and / or nonwoven fabric.

[0030] To achieve the desired surface properties, the rubber layer coated with the woven, knitted, and / or nonwoven fabric is preferably pickled, especially after vulcanization. The pickling treatment roughens the surface of the film, in particular the surface of the rubber layer and / or the surface of the woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric. Pickling is preferably carried out in acid. Alternatively or additionally, a corona treatment can be performed. In this case, the uncoated or coated rubber layer is exposed to a high-voltage electrical discharge. Plasma treatment, fluorination, and / or mechanical surface treatment can also be performed.

[0031] In particular, it can be provided that the film is wound and vulcanized after coating, preferably with a precursor material interposed. The precursor material prevents the windings from sticking together during vulcanization. In a further preferred embodiment, the vulcanized film is subjected to a surface treatment using a pickling agent, preferably after it has been separated from the precursor material.

[0032] Preferably, the woven, knitted, and / or nonwoven fabric is applied over the entire surface of the rubber layer or rubber film. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to apply the woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric in strips to create targeted bonding areas. The vulcanized film can optionally be perforated to form an antitorsion film (STP antitorsion film). Upon bonding, the perforation creates an adhesive column that extends through the film and improves the torsional rigidity of the film. In this context, the coating according to the invention effectively prevents the accumulation of adhesive exclusively in the area of ​​the holes, thus ensuring a secure, full-surface bond.

[0033] The film preferably has a Shore A hardness between 30 and 80, preferably between 40 and 70. It is preferred that the film has viscoelastic properties.

[0034] The invention is further explained below with reference to the attached schematic diagrams. Herein: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a film according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a composite component according to the invention; and Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of a composite component according to the invention.

[0035] Identical or equivalent elements are identified by the same reference numerals in all figures. The features described with reference to the individual embodiments can, in principle, also be combined with one another, as far as technically possible.

[0036] Figure 1shows, in schematic form, the structure of a film 10 according to the invention. The film 10 comprises a rubber layer 20, which can also be referred to as a rubber film. The rubber layer 20 is arranged between two highly schematically illustrated coatings 30 consisting of a woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric 30. The film 10 formed by the rubber layer 20 and the coatings 30 has a first outer side 12 and a second outer side 14.

[0037] The rubber layer 20 is a flat, preferably water-impermeable layer (rubber foil) with a top side 22 and a bottom side 24. Applied to both sides of this thin, foil-like rubber layer 20 are thread- or fiber-shaped layers which completely cover the rubber layer 20 (top side 22 and bottom side 24).

[0038] The total thickness of the film 10 is preferably 0.3 mm to 10 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thickness of the film is approximately 0.5 mm to 2 mm. The material thickness or thickness of the rubber layer 20 is preferably 0.1 mm to 2.2 mm, particularly preferably 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The thread- or fiber-like coating 30 preferably has a material thickness or thickness of a maximum of 1.2 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 1.2 mm. The two outer coatings can have different structures. For example, a first coating 30 can be a nonwoven fabric and a second coating 30 can be a knitted fabric. In the case of a nonwoven coating, the material thickness can be, for example, 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. A knitted fabric preferably has a material thickness of 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm. The values ​​mentioned relate in particular to the thickness of the film 10 without the effect of the pressing.

[0039] The rubber layer 20 has a surface structure in the form of elevations and depressions. These elevations and depressions, preferably in the micrometer range, ensure good wettability with an adhesive that penetrates the fiber or thread layer (coating 30) to the surface of the rubber layer 20. The surface structure is achieved, for example, by a chemical treatment (mordanting).

[0040] The woven or knitted fabric consists of individual threads that are crossed with one another (woven fabric) or connected by stitching (knitted fabric). The nonwoven fabric consists of fibers of limited length or continuous fibers that are joined together to form a fiber layer. The woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric is preferably made of glass fiber. The glass fiber woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric is pressed onto the rubber film 20 (pressed into it) and thus bonded in a material-locking and / or form-locking manner. Gaps are formed between the individual fibers or threads of the coating 30, extending between the top side 22 or bottom side 24 of the rubber layer 20 and the outer side 12 or 14 of the film 10.In this way, the rubber layer 20 is exposed to the environment in such a way that an adhesive (not shown) applied to the film 10 passes through the gaps or pores of the coating 30 to the surface of the rubber layer 20. The coating 30 thus ensures uniform wettability of the entire surface of the film 10 or the rubber layer 20.

[0041] Figures 2 and 3 show exemplary embodiments of the use of a film 10 according to the invention in a composite component, namely a winter sports device 40, for example a ski or a snowboard.

[0042] The multi-layer winter sports device 40 comprises, in a generally known manner, a core 42, for example made of wood or a foamed material (e.g., polyurethane foam). On an upper side of the core 42 is a so-called upper chord 44, which forms the upper side of the winter sports device 40. On an underside of the winter sports device 40, a covering 46 with a running surface 47 is provided. Side walls 48 are formed to the side of the core 42. The upper chord 44 and the side walls 48 can, in principle, also be formed as a single piece. Edges 50, in particular steel edges, are arranged at the transition between the side walls 48 and the covering 46.

[0043] The film 10 can be arranged at different positions between individual layers of the winter sports equipment 40. For example, the film 10 can be arranged as a film strip extending in the longitudinal direction of the winter sports equipment 40 in the region of the edges 50 ( Figures 2 and 3). The film 10 borders the core 42, the covering 46, and the sidewall 48. The film 10 is bonded to all of these elements. By coating the film 10 with the woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric, uniform wetting with adhesive can be achieved, thus ensuring reliable bonding with the adjacent layers of the composite component. By coating it with different materials and / or structures, the film 10 can be specifically adapted to the adjacent materials.

[0044] As in Figure 2 As shown, a further film 10 according to the invention can be located at the transition between the core 42 and the sidewalls 48. The film 10 also extends in a strip-like manner in the longitudinal direction of the winter sports device 40. Figure 2also shows a further film 10 extending in stripes along the winter sports equipment 40 at the transition between a side wall 48 and the upper belt 44.

[0045] Another embodiment is in Figure 3 The ski shown here comprises, as in the embodiment according to Figure 2 , foils 10 arranged in the area of ​​the edges 50. In addition, a foil 10 is present between the core 42 and the upper belt 44, extending approximately over the entire width of the winter sports equipment 40.

[0046] In addition to the embodiments illustrated, various other designs and arrangements of a film 10 in a composite component or winter sports equipment 40 are possible. For example, several individual films can be arranged between individual layers, in particular between core 42 and upper chord 44. For example, a first film can be arranged in a rear region of a ski, a second film in a middle region of the ski, and a third film in a front region of the ski. The ski can also contain further layers and / or targeted weight inserts. The film 10 according to the invention can be arranged as a strip on the edge region of a winter sports equipment and / or extend essentially completely between two layers along the entire width of the ski.

[0047] The film according to the invention is preferably produced using the following steps: 1. Calendering the coating (woven, knitted, nonwoven) on a calender and, if necessary, winding it onto a mandrel. 2. Unwinding the composite package formed by calendering from the mandrel and winding it onto a drum, whereby the composite package is preferably wrapped in a precursor material (intermediate material) to prevent the layers from sticking together during subsequent vulcanization. 3. Vulcanizing the composite package. 4. Unwrapping the vulcanized composite package and separating the precursor material. 5. Surface treatment of the vulcanized composite package using corona treatment and / or plasma treatment and / or fluorination and / or pickling, particularly in acid. 6. If necessary, picking the vulcanized composite package according to customer requirements.

[0048] Overall, the film 10 according to the invention achieves improved wettability with an adhesive compared to the prior art. The film can be used in particular for bonding layers of a composite component whose materials are generally difficult to bond. Furthermore, the elasticity of the rubber layer of the film according to the invention ensures vibration damping and / or compensation of static and dynamic movements between the layers of a composite component, for example, due to different expansion coefficients of two materials. List of reference symbols:

[0049] 10Foil 12First outer side 14Second outer side 20Rubber layer 22Top side 24Bottom side 30Coating 40Winter sports equipment 42Core 44Top belt 46Base 47Tread 48Sidewalls 50Edges

Claims

1. Multi-layer winter sports equipment (40) for gliding on snow, comprising a number of interconnected layers, wherein an elastic film is arranged between adjacent layers, which is bonded to the adjacent layers by means of an adhesive, wherein a film (10) having the following is used as the elastic film: a rubber layer (20) with a flat upper side (22) and a flat underside (24), wherein the upper side (22) and / or the underside (24) of the rubber layer (20) is coated with a woven fabric, a knitted fabric and / or a nonwoven fabric, characterized in that the elongation at break is at least 50% and the drum peel strength is at least 1 N / m.

2. Multi-layer winter sports equipment according to claim 1, wherein the woven fabric, knitted fabric and / or nonwoven fabric forms an outer side (12, 14) of the film (10) and is applied to the rubber layer (20) from the outside.

3. Multi-layer winter sports equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rubber layer (20) is formed as a rubber film and comprises a material which contains elastomers, such as ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or natural rubber.

4. Multilayer winter sports equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the film has a Shore A hardness of between 30 and 80.

5. Multilayer winter sports equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tear strength of the film is at least 4 N / mm2.

6. Multi-layer winter sports equipment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the woven fabric, knitted fabric and / or the nonwoven fabric is bonded to the rubber layer (20), in particular pressed onto the rubber layer (20), and wherein the bonded connection is preferably provided without an additional material, in particular without the use of an adhesive.

7. Multi-layer winter sports equipment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rubber layer (20) is in contact with the environment via interstices in the woven fabric, knitted fabric and / or the nonwoven fabric.

8. Multi-layer winter sports equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper side and the underside are coated differently.

9. Multi-layer winter sports equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the woven fabric, knitted fabric or the nonwoven fabric itself is provided with a coating.

10. Method of manufacturing a multilayer winter sports equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a rubber layer (20) with a flat upper side (22) and a flat underside (24) is provided and wherein the upper side (22) and / or the underside (24) of the rubber layer (20) is coated with a woven fabric, a knitted fabric and / or a nonwoven fabric and wherein an adhesive penetrates through interstices in the woven fabric, knitted fabric and / or nonwoven fabric to the surface of the rubber layer (20).

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the woven fabric, knitted fabric and / or the nonwoven fabric is pressed with the rubber layer (20), in particular in a calender.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the rubber layer (20) is vulcanized after coating with the woven fabric, knitted fabric and / or the nonwoven fabric.

13. Method according to any one of claims 10 - 12, wherein the rubber layer (20) coated with the woven fabric, knitted fabric and / or the nonwoven fabric is pickled after vulcanization.