Drainage element cover and composition for producing the same

Abstract

The subject of the application relates generally to the field of drainage elements, typically drainage channels, and covers thereof, as well as mixtures for production of such covers. Embodiments may include drainage element covers, meeting functional (water permeability, slip resistance, abrasion resistance, hygienic safety, strength, resistance to frost, etc.) as well as aesthetic requirements, and which would be suitable for applications in exteriors as well as interiors, and further propose a mixture for production of such drainage element covers. Functional and aesthetic requirements may be achieved by means of a mixture for producing drainage element covers, comprising aggregate and/or milled glass pulp and binder, and further comprising thixotropic additive.

Claims

1. Mixture for producing drainage element covers, comprising aggregate and/or milled glass pulp and binder characterized in that it further comprises thixotropic additive.

2. Mixture for producing drainage element covers according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises metal or plastic additives, mica glitter, glass beads, dyes or UV inhibitors.

3. (canceled)

4. Mixture for producing draining element covers according to claim 1 characterized in that the aggregate has a form of pebbles or milled aggregate.

5. Mixture for producing drainage element covers according to claim 1 characterized in that the size of aggregate and/or milled glass pulp fraction is 4 to 8 mm, 4 to 7 mm, 5 to 8 mm.

6. Mixture for producing drainage element covers according to claim 1 characterized in that the binder comprises two-component epoxy sealant or PUR resin.

7. Mixture for producing drainage element covers according to claim 1 characterized in that the thixotropic additive is added in the amount up to 10 weight % of the thixotropic additive per 100 weight % of the binder.

8. Mixture for producing drainage element covers according to claim 7 characterized in that the thixotropic additive is added in the amount ranging from 3 to 5 weight % of thixotropic additive per 100 weight % of the binder.

9. Drainage element cover characterized in that it consists of a body made of a mixture for production of drainage element covers comprising aggregate and/or milled glass pulp, binder and thixotropic additive.

10. Drainage element cover according to claim 9 characterized in that auxiliary inserts are arranged in the sidewalls thereof and spacers (4) are seated or bolted in the said inserts.

11. (canceled)

12. Drainage element cover according to claim 9 characterized in that its body contains a reinforcement (3)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. Drainage element cover according to claim 10 characterized in that its body contains a reinforcement (3).

16. Mixture for producing drainage element covers, comprising aggregate and/or milled glass pulp and binder characterized in that it further comprises thixotropic additive added in the amount up to 10 weight % per 100 weight % of the binder, where the binder comprises two-component epoxy sealant or PUR resin.

17. Mixture for producing drainage element covers according to claim 16 characterized in that it further comprises metal or plastic additives, mica glitter, glass beads, dyes or UV inhibitors.

18. Mixture for producing draining element covers according to claim 16, characterized in that the aggregate has a form of pebbles or milled aggregate.

19. Mixture for producing drainage element covers according to claim 16 characterized in that the size of aggregate and/or milled glass pulp fraction is 4 to 8 mm, 4 to 7 mm, 5 to 8 mm.

20. Mixture for producing drainage element covers according to claim 16 characterized in that the thixotropic additive is added in the amount ranging from 3 to 5 weight % of thixotropic additive per 100 weight % of the binder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention will be further described in the following description by means of exemplary embodiments, with references to the attached drawings, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a section through the drainage element cover positioned on the supports of the drainage gutter,

[0021] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates flow of water through the drainage element cover section,

[0022] FIG. 3a illustrates a transverse grid of the reinforcement and FIG. 3b illustrates a square grid of the reinforcement.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The invention will be further clarified by means of exemplary embodiments, with references to the respective drawings. One exemplary embodiment is the drainage element cover 1, which is embedded and seated in the drainage element 2 on supports, which in this case is the drainage gutter serving for water overflow from the pool, which is illustrated in the FIG. 1. The body of the drainage element cover 1 consists of a mixture 5 of pebbles and cured binder with thixotropic additive. To ensure sufficient strength of the drainage element cover 1, one stainless steel reinforcement 3 in a shape of horizontal grid is arranged in its body, as it is illustrated in the FIG. 3b. Of course, water drained from the surface of the drainage element 1 cover will flow through the grid. The reinforcement 3 is arranged inside the body of the drainage element cover 1, and thus does not extend to the side edges of the body in this embodiment.

[0024] Particular drainage element covers 1 are installed next to each other so that they are loosely laid with a gap between. To ensure accurate position of the drainage element cover 1 and the same width of the gap between the particular drainage element covers 1 and between the drainage element cover 1 and the walls of the drainage element 2, silicone spacers 4 extend from the side walls of the drainage element cover 1.

[0025] Water draining from the surface of the drainage element cover 1 is performed, contrary to the standard solutions, in which water flows through artificial openings in the drainage element covers 1 or flows around its body, by percolation through the body of the drainage element cover 1 through its open cavity structure.

[0026] The drainage element cover 1 is made of a mixture designed for this purpose, which is thoroughly mechanically stirred up and deposited in the prepared forms, in which it solidifies. Alternatively, in order to increase strength, it is possible to insert the reinforcement/s 3 into the forms.

[0027] Another exemplary embodiment is a mixture for production of drainage element covers, comprising aggregate and/or milled glass pulp, binder and thixotropic additive.

[0028] The mixture for production of drainage element covers is prepared of various types of aggregate. Most commonly used types of aggregate are marble, quartz aggregate, dolomite, serpentine, quartzite, granite, carolith, porphyry, etc. The said aggregate is used in various colours and shades and it is possible to mix this aggregate in various rations so that a pattern/texture is formed. Alternatively, it is possible to use milled glass pulp, which is used e.g. in production of various walking areas, in combination with the aggregate. Various aggregate fractions may be used, most commonly fractions of 4 to 8 mm, 4 to 7 mm or 5 to 8 mm. Aggregate has to be thoroughly dried so that the mixture would not flow, would be clear after being cured, would have the required strength and no degradation due to temperature changes would occur.

[0029] There are many binder and thixotropic additive suppliers and the properties of the particular products are very similar. The most common type of binder is two-component epoxy sealant. A possible suitable alternative is e.g. PUR resin.

[0030] Other admixtures may be added to the mixture for production of drainage element covers, for example, for colouration and creation of optical effects. It is possible to mention metal, plastic or mica glitter, glass beads or colourants. To eliminate the negative influence of sunlight, it is possible to add UV inhibitors to the mixture for production of drainage element covers.

[0031] In case the aggregate would be sealed with large amount of liquid binder, the spaces between the aggregate would be blocked, which would result in water impermeability. Water permeability is determined by a small volume ratio to the aggregate and using the thixotropic additive, thanks to which the binder does not flow down to the base of the form and remains as “stone coating”, which only connects the contact areas, resulting in open water-permeable structure. Thixotropic additive in the used mixture together with the binder, e.g. epoxy sealant, affects the viscosity of the mixed mixture, so that the mixture does not flow down the aggregate.

[0032] The ratio of binder and aggregate in mixture for production of drainage element covers is based on information provided by binder producer. Thixotropic additive is added to the binder in the amount up to 10 weight % of thixotropic additive per 100 weight % of binder. The best results in terms of obtaining the required properties of the drainage element cover 1 and production costs are achieved with the ratio of 3 to 5 weight % of thixotropic additive per 100 weight % of binder.

[0033] In one exemplary embodiment, the mixture for production of drainage element covers is mixed by means of a mechanical mixing device and then divided into the forms of the required shape. The mixture for production of drainage element covers comprises marble aggregate in combination with two-component epoxy sealant and thixotropic additive. 860 g of epoxy resin (component A), 516 g of binder (component B) and 40 to 70 g of thixotropic additive is used per 25 kg of marble aggregate.

[0034] The application temperature and curing time may vary in various embodiments, according to the type of the used binder and instructions provided by the binder producer. Recommended curing time depends on the application temperature and it is also provided by the binder producer. In one exemplary embodiment, a binder may be used, with which it is possible to work in the range of limit temperatures of 5 to 35° C., wherein the producer recommends applying the binder with the temperature range of 10 to 25° C.

[0035] The body of the drainage element cover 1 is made of the above-mentioned mixture for production of drainage element covers using forms in which it is cured. The forms contain material which is antiadhesive to the cured mixture for production of drainage element covers, e.g. polypropylene, preventing sticking of the body of the drainage element cover 1 to the form surface. In case it is required in the particular application, the forms may have their bottom edges tapered, or they may contain removable tapered inserts, which is important, for example, when used together with one of the standardized types of overflow channels for pools in order to create space for the edge joint of plastic. The inserts for creation of tapered edges are removable, it is thus possible to use the form for the drainage element cover 1 with as well as without the inserts.

[0036] Holes may be drilled in the side walls of the form, into which the auxiliary inserts, e.g. dowels or aluminium inserts, are inserted, wherein screws are placed into said inserts before producing the drainage element cover 1, these screws being removed before removing the cured body of the drainage element cover 1 from the form, which results into openings in the body of the drainage element cover 1, into which silicone, plastic and other spacers 4 may be fixed, in order to define the gap size. The auxiliary inserts as well as spacers 4 are part of the drainage element cover 1. Placement of the spacers 4 is illustrated in the FIG. 1.

[0037] Such produced drainage element cover 1 is ready for mounting/installation. Particular drainage element covers 1 are loosely laid one after another in the drainage element 2 with a gap, and the said spacers 4 are used to ensure the position and accurate gap size.

[0038] The reinforcement 3, for example, steel reinforcement 3, may have various overall shape according to the shape of the body of the drainage element cover 1 and the required strength, and it may further have a profile of, for example, transverse or square grid, depending on the dimensions and shape of the particular drainage element cover 1, as it illustrated in the FIGS. 3a and 3b. The reinforcement 3 is not required at all for certain drainage element covers 1, because sufficient support of the drainage element cover 1 is ensured by means of structure of the drainage element 2 itself, e.g. drainage channel.

[0039] Drainage element covers 1 and respective forms may be produced in various shapes, for example, depending on the intended application, they may be straight, corner, curved, tapered at various angles, irregular, and the like. With respect to the wide dimensional variability of the applications, no standard dimensions of the drainage element cover 1 are determined. Dimensions as well as the reinforcement 3 will be always adapted to the particular application, e.g. drainage gutter, and the respective load. Drainage element covers 1 are mostly produced in such sizes, so that the weight of one piece would not exceed 20 kg, enabling manual manipulation with the particular drainage element covers 1.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0040] Drainage element cover is applicable wherever it is necessary to ensure drainage of surface, mostly walking areas, exterior as well as interior. The application will be found especially around pools, terraces, various walking and traveling areas near buildings, bathrooms, toilettes, corridors, etc.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0041] (1) Drainage element cover

[0042] (2) Drainage element

[0043] (3) Reinforcement

[0044] (4) Spacer

[0045] (5) Mixture of pebbles and cured binder with thixotropic additive