Two-component system for treating the surface of winter sports equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a two-component system for treating the surface of winter sports equipment. The two-component system comprises a first component, which contains a first solvent and a polyalkylhydrosiloxane, and a second component, which contains a second solvent and a crosslinking agent. After producing a mixture of the first component and the second component, the two-component system can be applied to the surface of the winter sports equipment, in particular onto the sliding surface of the winter sports equipment.

Description

[0001] Two-component system for the surface treatment of winter sports equipment

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a two-component system for the treatment of the surface of winter sports equipment, in particular for the treatment of the sliding surface of winter sports equipment.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The physics behind the gliding of winter sports equipment on a snow surface is still not fully understood. In simple terms, the gliding behavior of winter sports equipment can be explained by a more or less thick film of water that forms between the gliding surface and the snow surface due to frictional heat during gliding. However, if such a film of water becomes more pronounced, for example, in warmer and wetter conditions, the meltwater created by sliding friction can no longer be sufficiently drained away. This creates a suction effect that reduces gliding.

[0006] The gliding properties of winter sports equipment are strongly dependent on the type of snow (artificial snow, natural snow, powder snow, wet snow, dry snow), its crystal shape and the grain size of the snow. Snow conditions can also change from the time the skis are prepared to the time of actual skiing, e.g. due to fresh snowfall, rain, temperature changes and solar radiation. Daily changes in snow conditions also influence the gliding properties of the skis. The geographical altitude from the start of the descent from the top of a mountain to the end of the descent in the valley also causes different properties of the snow. Furthermore, air humidity, air and snow temperature, wind and solar radiation as well as air pressure all influence the snow properties and thus the gliding properties of the winter sports equipment.In addition, wet snow can cause snow or ice to adhere to the sliding surfaces of winter sports equipment, rendering it a non-gliding surface in the true sense of the word. To achieve improved gliding properties, the sliding surface of the respective winter sports equipment that comes into contact with the snow is treated. This applies equally to alpine and Nordic winter sports equipment, such as ski jumping skis, snowboards, or sleds.

[0007] Treating the gliding surfaces is intended to ensure smooth progress on the surface (natural snow, artificial snow, ice, etc.), while also protecting the gliding surfaces from being washed out by snow and ice, and preventing the bases from detaching from the ski. Waxing also makes the gliding surfaces hydrophobic, accelerating the drainage of meltwater, which creates a suction effect.

[0008] Generally, the user of a particular piece of winter sports equipment, such as a skier, attempts to accommodate varying snow conditions and changes in snow conditions by combining different wax layers on the ski. However, this is generally not ideal. Competitive skiers generally do everything in their power to make their skis as fast as possible by choosing the right composition of standard ski waxes and wax systems, combined with the right application method for them.

[0009] Such a treatment of the sliding surfaces of winter sports equipment is generally referred to as waxing, and the substances used for this purpose are called ski wax, even though it often does not have a waxy consistency in the traditional sense. Corresponding products for treating the sliding surfaces are available in a wide variety of versions on the market and are offered by companies such as TOKO, SWIX, and HOLMENKOLLEN.

[0010] DE 10 2020 119 457 A1 relates to a lubricant for use on sliding surfaces of winter sports equipment. The lubricant contains nanocellulose whose elongated particles have an average diameter of no more than 200 nm and a length of no more than 10 pm. The lubricant can contain siloxanes, polysiloxanes, in particular hydrogen- or halogen-containing polyorganosiloxanes. A special gasoline with a boiling range between 100°C and 140°C is mentioned as the solvent for the lubricant mixture.

[0011] US Pat. No. 4,828,885 A discloses a wax composition for waxing skis, consisting of a wax matrix into which a polysiloxane, in particular a methylsiloxane, is incorporated. Solvents mentioned include white spirit, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, benzene, naphthalene, or toluene. DE 1 046 225 B discloses a composition based on waxes and organopolysiloxanes, which may contain a titanic acid derivative, such as a titanic acid ester. The composition can be used, for example, as ski wax.

[0012] What all state-of-the-art products have in common is the relatively complex and time-consuming application to the sliding surface of winter sports equipment and the noticeable, but not optimal, reduction in friction between the sliding surface and the ground.

[0013] Despite the solutions known from the state of the art, it has not yet been possible to provide a ski wax that leads to the best possible minimization of the sliding friction of winter sports equipment on snow or ice on all types of snow and in all weather conditions.

[0014] Description of the invention

[0015] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an agent for treating the surfaces of winter sports equipment that can be applied to the sliding surface with little effort and in a short time, and that minimizes the sliding friction of winter sports equipment on snow or ice as much as possible. This object is achieved according to the invention by the two-component system according to independent claim 1. Further advantageous aspects, details, and embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the description.

[0016] The present invention provides a two-component system for treating the surface of winter sports equipment, in particular for treating the sliding surface of winter sports equipment. The two-component system comprises a first component, which comprises a first solvent and a polyalkylhydrogensiloxane, and a second component, which comprises a second solvent and a crosslinker. After preparing a mixture of the first component and the second component, the two-component system can be applied to the surface of the winter sports equipment, in particular to the sliding surface of the winter sports equipment.

[0017] By applying the inventive two-component system to the surface of winter sports equipment, it is preserved and protected against external influences, ideally significantly extending its service life. When applied to the sliding surface of a winter sports equipment, a significant improvement in the tribological sliding properties is achieved, i.e., the friction between the sliding surface of the winter sports equipment and the snow surface is greatly reduced. Furthermore, the treatment of the sliding surface minimizes or completely prevents snow adhesion. The sliding properties of the winter sports equipment on snow or ice are significantly improved, which leads to the pleasing effect for winter sports enthusiasts of rapid progress in all different snow conditions.

[0018] The inventive two-component system improves the gliding properties of winter sports equipment on a wide variety of snow types and in a wide range of weather conditions. This enables winter sports enthusiasts to achieve improved gliding properties with their winter sports equipment with greater independence from snow conditions.

[0019] In addition, the two-component system according to the invention has the advantage of being completely fluorine-free. In contrast, many of the waxes and lubricants currently used are based on fluorine compounds. However, these products will be completely banned for use in skis and similar sports equipment starting January 1, 2024.

[0020] Finally, the two-component system can be applied to the surfaces of winter sports equipment with significantly less time than the products currently available on the market.

[0021] In this text, the term "ski" refers to all winter sports equipment with a gliding surface that is in direct contact with snow, ice, or other surfaces, including alpine skis, carving skis, trick skis, short skis, cross-country skis, jumping skis, and snowboards of all kinds.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the polyalkylhydrogensiloxane is a polymethylhydrogensiloxane. Polymethylhydrogensiloxanes exhibit particularly advantageous properties in connection with the surface treatment of winter sports equipment. The use of a polymethylhydrogensiloxane results in excellent gliding properties of, for example, skis on any type of snow.

[0023] The crosslinker is particularly preferably an alkoxy titanate, especially preferably an isopropyl titanate. After mixing the first component and the second component, the alkoxy titanate acts as a crosslinker for the siloxane compound, which is crosslinked to form a silicone. Alkoxy titanates, and in particular isopropyl titanate, bring about rapid and comprehensive crosslinking of the polyalkylhydrogensiloxane, and in particular of the polymethylhydrogensiloxane. The two-component systems produced using one of the crosslinkers mentioned have particularly advantageous properties in connection with the surface treatment of winter sports equipment. In particular, the use of an alkoxy titanate, in particular an isopropyl titanate, results in excellent gliding properties of, for example, skis on any type of snow.

[0024] According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first solvent and / or the second solvent are benzine, spirit, isopropyl alcohol, isopropanol, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isoparafin, methyl ethyl ketone, or naphtha. All of the solvents mentioned have proven to be well-suited for the production of both the first component and the second component. Furthermore, the solvents are readily available and relatively inexpensive.

[0025] White spirits, also known as test spirits, are refined gasolines from the group of heavy spirits with a boiling point between 130°C and 220°C. The flash point of these solvents is above 21°C. The name "test spirit" refers to the fact that the gasoline has been tested for a specific property, such as flash point or boiling range.

[0026] Naphtha, also known as crude petroleum, is a relatively light petroleum fraction obtained from crude oil in a refinery through fractional distillation. Depending on the type of crude oil, both the average boiling point and the exact composition of the naphtha vary.

[0027] Particular advantages with regard to storage and miscibility arise when the first solvent and the second solvent are the same. When using the same solvent, no restrictions regarding miscibility or possible phase separation, such as can occur when using different solvents, need to be observed.

[0028] According to further, particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the weight ratio of first solvent to polyalkylhydrogensiloxane in the first component is between 4: 1 and 99: 1, particularly preferably between 9: 1 and 19: 1 and very particularly preferably between 11: 1 and 13: 1. Experimental studies have shown that the presence of the two components in the stated weight ratios in the first component results in particularly good properties of the two-component systems produced therefrom in connection with the treatment of the surface of winter sports equipment.

[0029] According to further, particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the weight ratio of second solvent to crosslinker in the second component is between 9: 1 and 99: 1, particularly preferably between 14: 1 and 24: 1, and most preferably between 17: 1 and 19: 1. Experimental studies have shown that the presence of the two components in the stated weight ratios in the second component results in particularly good properties of the two-component systems produced therefrom in connection with the treatment of the surface of winter sports equipment.

[0030] Finally, it has been shown that the two-component systems have particularly advantageous properties in connection with the treatment of the surface of winter sports equipment when the two-component system is prepared by mixing the first component and the second component in a weight ratio between 4: 1 and 99: 1, preferably between 7: 1 and 19: 1, particularly preferably between 9: 1 and 11: 1.

[0031] The sliding properties of winter sports equipment can ideally be improved if the two-component system consists of a first component and a second component as follows: The first component comprises white spirit and a polymethylhydrogensiloxane, wherein the weight ratio of white spirit to polymethylhydrogensiloxane is approximately 12:1. The second component comprises white spirit and an alkoxy titanate, wherein the weight ratio of white spirit to alkoxy titanate is approximately 18:1. The two-component system can be applied to the surface of the winter sports equipment, in particular to the sliding surface of the winter sports equipment, after preparing a mixture of the first component and the second component in a weight ratio of approximately 10:1.

[0032] The two-component system according to the present invention has a shelf life of at least 5 months, thus lasting for a full ski season. No reduction in the improved gliding properties caused by application can be observed.

[0033] The present invention also encompasses the use of one of the above-described two-component systems for treating the surfaces of winter sports equipment, in particular for treating the sliding surfaces of winter sports equipment. It is particularly preferably used to modify the tribological sliding properties of winter sports equipment on snow or ice. Tribology (the study of friction) deals with the scientific description of friction as well as the calculation and measurement of friction coefficients, wear, and the required lubrication between interacting surfaces in relative motion. This also encompasses the development of technologies for optimizing friction processes, which can be described as "interacting surfaces in relative motion" or "tribological systems."

[0034] An improvement in the tribological sliding properties of winter sports equipment is generally achieved when the friction between the sliding surface of the winter sports equipment and the snow surface is reduced as much as possible.

[0035] The inventive use of one of the two-component systems described above is particularly for treating the sliding surfaces of winter sports equipment and is particularly preferably aimed directly at modifying the tribological sliding properties of winter sports equipment on snow or ice. The winter sports equipment is particularly preferably a snowboard, skis, or sled, in particular alpine skis, carving skis, trick skis, short skis, cross-country skis, or jumping skis.

[0036] The present invention also encompasses a method for treating the surfaces of winter sports equipment. The method comprises the steps of a) providing a first component as defined above, b) providing a second component as defined above, c) mixing and blending the first and second components to form a two-component system as defined above, d) applying the two-component system formed in step c) to the surface of a winter sports equipment.

[0037] Preferably, in step d) the two-component system is applied to the surface of the winter sports equipment in an amount of between 10 ml and 30 ml per m 2 the surface, particularly preferably in an amount of around 20 ml per m 2the surface. The stated quantities of the two-component system have proven sufficient to achieve improved sliding properties while ensuring the lowest possible resource consumption.

[0038] After mixing and blending the first and second components, the crosslinker provided according to the invention crosslinks the siloxane compound to form a silicone. Experimental studies have shown that a reaction time of at least 10 minutes should be allowed before applying the two-component system to the surface of a winter sports equipment. According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention for treating the surfaces of winter sports equipment, step d) is therefore carried out no earlier than 10 minutes after step c).

[0039] Although the method according to the invention can generally be used to treat the surfaces of winter sports equipment, the primary goal is to improve the sliding properties of the winter sports equipment. Therefore, the surface of the winter sports equipment is preferably the sliding surface of the winter sports equipment.

[0040] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the method for treating the surfaces of winter sports equipment is a method for modifying the tribological sliding properties of winter sports equipment on snow. As already mentioned, an improvement in the tribological sliding properties of winter sports equipment is achieved when the friction between the sliding surface of the winter sports equipment and the snow surface is reduced as much as possible. This further improves the sliding properties of the winter sports equipment on snow or ice, which leads to the pleasing effect of faster progress for the winter sports enthusiast.

[0041] In principle, the method according to the invention can be applied to any type of winter sports equipment. The winter sports equipment is preferably a snowboard, skis, or a sled, in particular alpine skis, carving skis, trick skis, short skis, cross-country skis, or jumping skis.

[0042] Ways to implement the invention

[0043] Example 1: Composition of the components

[0044] Composition of the first component In the first component, the weight ratio of first solvent to polymethylhydrogensiloxane is approximately 12.3:1.

[0045] Composition of the second component

[0046] In the second component, the weight ratio of second solvent to alkoxy titanate is approximately 18:1.

[0047] Example 2: Production of the two-component system

[0048] The components described in Example 1 are mixed and blended together to form the two-component system according to the invention.

[0049] The two-component system is prepared by mixing the first component and the second component in a weight ratio of 10:1. To do this, the contents of a container containing 20 ml of the second component are poured into a container containing 200 ml of the first component.

[0050] The container containing the two components is then closed, shaken and left to stand for 10 minutes.

[0051] Example 3: Method for treating the sliding surface of alpine skis

[0052] The method for treating the sliding surface of alpine skis is implemented by the steps of a) providing a first component according to Example 1, b) providing a second component according to Example 1, c) mixing and blending the first and second components to form a two-component system according to Example 2, d) applying the two-component system formed in step c) to the surface of alpine skis. The two-component system prepared in Example 2 is filled into a hand pump sprayer. For convenience, the second component can already be stored in such a hand pump sprayer. In this case, the 200 ml container mentioned in Example 2 is a hand pump sprayer.

[0053] Using the hand pump sprayer, the two-component system is applied to the gliding surface of an alpine ski. Per m 2Approximately 20 ml of the two-component system is applied to the sliding surface. The amount of 220 ml of two-component system prepared in Example 2 is therefore sufficient to treat approximately 11 m 2 surface of a winter sports equipment. This corresponds to approximately 7 to 12 treatments for a pair of alpine skis (depending on their length).

[0054] The treatment of a pair of alpine skis takes only 10 minutes:

[0055] This represents a significant time saving compared to the conventional waxing of a pair of alpine skis: Example 4: Test results

[0056] The alpine skis treated according to Example 3 were tested for their gliding properties by several people. The identical pair of skis was treated with a conventional 120-gram TOKO All in One universal ski wax and tested under identical external conditions.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Two-component system for the treatment of the surface of winter sports equipment, in particular for the treatment of the sliding surface of winter sports equipment, comprising - a first component comprising a first solvent and a polyalkylhydrogensiloxane and - a second component comprising a second solvent and a crosslinker, wherein the two-component system can be applied to the surface of the winter sports equipment, in particular to the sliding surface of the winter sports equipment, after preparation of a mixture of the first component and the second component.

2. Two-component system according to claim 1, characterized in that the polyalkylhydrogensiloxane is a polymethylhydrogensiloxane.

3. Two-component system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the crosslinker is an alkoxy titanate, preferably an isopropyl titanate.

4. Two-component system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first solvent and / or the second solvent is white spirit, petrol, isopropyl alcohol, isopropanol, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isoparafin, methyl ethyl ketone or naphtha.

5. Two-component system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first solvent and the second solvent are the same solvent.

6. Two-component system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the first component the weight ratio of first solvent to polyalkylhydrogensiloxane is between 4: 1 and 99: 1, preferably between 9: 1 and 19: 1, particularly preferably between 11: 1 and 13:

1.

7. Two-component system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the second component the weight ratio of second solvent to crosslinker is between 9: 1 and 99: 1, preferably between 14: 1 and 24: 1, particularly preferably between 17: 1 and 19:

1.

8. Two-component system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two-component system can be produced by mixing the first component and the second component in a weight ratio between 4: 1 and 99: 1, preferably between 7: 1 and 19: 1, particularly preferably between 9: 1 and 11:

1.

9. Use of a two-component system according to one of claims 1 to 8 for treating the surfaces of winter sports equipment, in particular for treating the sliding surfaces of winter sports equipment.

10. Use according to claim 9, characterized in that the use is for modifying the tribological sliding properties of winter sports equipment on snow.

11. Use according to claim 10, characterized in that the winter sports equipment is a snowboard, skis or a sledge, in particular alpine skis, carving skis, trick skis, short skis, cross-country skis or jumping skis.

12. A method for treating the surfaces of winter sports equipment comprising the steps of a) providing a first component as defined in claims 1 to 8, b) providing a second component as defined in claims 1 to 8, c) mixing and blending the first and second components to form a two-component system as defined in claims 1 to 8, d) applying the two-component system formed in step c) to the surface of a winter sports equipment.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that in step d) the two-component system is applied to the surface of the winter sports equipment in an amount of between 10 ml and 30 ml per m 2 the surface, preferably in an amount of around 20 ml per m 2 the surface.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that step d) is carried out at the earliest after a period of 10 minutes after step c).

15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the surface of the winter sports equipment is the sliding surface of the winter sports equipment.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that it is a method for modifying the tribological sliding properties of winter sports equipment on snow.

17. The method according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the winter sports equipment is a snowboard, skis, or a sled, in particular alpine skis, carving skis, trick skis, short skis, cross-country skis, or jumping skis.

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