Kim, Yoon-jung (138-7 Yongjeon-dong Dong-gu Daejeon 300-200, KR)
| 1. | A serpentine finish material, comprising 25 90 by weight of serpentine particles with a size of 10 mm or less, 570 % by weight of stone particles with a size of 10 mm or less, and 535 % by weight of a binder, and optionally pigment. |
| 2. | The serpentine finish material as set forth in claim 1, wherein the serpentine particles have an average particle size of 5 mm or less. |
| 3. | The serpentine finish material as set forth in claim 1, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid ester, silicon, melamine, and polyamide. |
| 4. | A method for constructing a building, in which interior and/or exterior sides the building are finished by applying the serpentine finish material of any of claims 1 to 3 thereonto at a thickness of 510 mm. |
| 5. | The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the serpentine finish material is polished after the finishing. |
| 6. | The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the serpentine finish material is coated with a resin selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid ester, silicon, melamine, and polyamide, after the finishing. |
| 7. | A molded unit comprising serpentine, prepared by pouring the serpentine finish material of any of claims 1 to 3 into a mold, vibrating the mold and injecting the serpentine finish from the mold. |
| 8. | A panel, prepared by applying the serpentine finish material of any of claims 1 to 3 at a thickness of 330 mm to an interior or exterior construction material and pressing the serpentine finish material against the construction material. |
| 9. | The panel as set forth in claim 8, wherein the serpentine finish material is applied at a thickness of 330 mm to the interior or exterior construction material, pressed against the construction material and polished. |
| 10. | The panel as set forth in claim 8 or 9, wherein the interior or exterior construction material is selected from the group consisting of gypsum boards, flame retardant boards, waterproof boards, partition panels, base panels, slates, baumlite, and sunlite. |
BACKGROUND ART Generally, floors of residential buildings are constructed by laying, for example, water pipes on concrete bases, filling aggregates, such as sand, gravels, etc., around the pipes, and cementing the bases and optionally carpeting or paving the bases with decorative materials.
As for inner walls of buildings or floors of non- residential buildings, they are constructed by
cementing mansonry walls or concrete bases and finishing them with decoration materials, such as wall paper, paint, tile, marble, etc.
Where cement finishing is applied, there occurs a problem in heating efficiency because of the poor insulating properties of cement panels or walls. For example, the heat of hot water pipes buried in cement walls or panels is so readily radiated that the consumption of energy is increased. In addition, cement surfaces are aesthetically unsuitable as final finish of building walls, so that additional decorating works, such as painting, tiling, etc., are conducted, lengthily extending the construction period of time.
As it is known that loess radiates far infrared light, which is healthily beneficial to humans, walls or floors have recently been plastered therewith.
Further, copper plates are laid on floors to prevent water pulse waves from penetrating through the floors because water pulse waves have a negative influence on human health.
However, additional decorating works are generally conducted where loess is plastered. In addition to giving rise to an increase in cost, copper plates cause the concern that they may be corroded.
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range of 0.76-1,000 m, which is longer
than that of visible light and shorter than that of ultra high frequency. Infrared light is subdivided into near, medium and far infrared light according to the wavelength. In the wavelength range of 2.5 pm or longer, which covers far infrared light, wavelengths from 5 to 15 pm are known to be healthily beneficial to humans.
In contrast to near infrared light, which penetrates through organic materials, far infrared light is absorbed into organic materials to exert various effects thereon. For instance, far infrared light is found to affect heat preservation, aging, fermentation, sterilization and anti-putrefaction.
Additionally, far infrared light can penetrate into the human body to a depth of 40 mm to cause the vibration of the atoms and molecules of cells, thereby increasing the temperature of subcutaneous tissues. With this thermal influence on human bodies, far infrared light shows the effects of expanding capillary vessels, facilitating blood circulation, and promoting metabolism and tissue regeneration. Furthermore, far infrared light has a deodorizing effect and inhibitory activity against bacteria and fungi, so that it is very useful in daily life.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to
provide serpentine-based, flame-retardant construction finish (hereinafter referred to as"serpentine finish"), which is beneficial in making humans healthy through the radiation of far infrared light and the shielding of water pulse waves and useful in improving the heating efficiency of buildings.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a construction method for decorating interiors and/or exteriors with the serpentine finish.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a molded unit comprising the serpentine finish.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a construction panel prepared by using the serpentine finish.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a serpentine-based, finish material, comprising 25-90 % by weight of serpentine particles with a size of 10 mm or less, 5-70 % by weight of stone particles with a size of 10 mm or less, and 5-35 % by weight of a binder, and optionally pigment.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for constructing a building, in which interior and/or exterior sides the building are finished by applying the serpent finish material of this invention thereonto at a thickness of 5-10 mm.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a molded unit comprising serpentine, prepared by pouring the serpentine finish material into a mold, vibrating the mold and injecting the serpentine finish from the mold.
According to still a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel, prepared by applying the serpentine finish material at a thickness of 3-30 mm to an interior or exterior construction material and pressing the serpentine finish material against the construction material.
The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With the same wavelength as that of the far infrared light originated from human bodies, the far infrared light radiated from serpentine can penetrate into the body to a significant depth to expand capillary vessels. Thus, serpentine is found to be useful to prevent circulation-related adult diseases such as hypertension, paralysis, etc. In addition, another surprising finding with serpentine is that the far infrared light radiated therefrom aids to eliminate
toxins and effete matters from the body. Also, serpentine enjoys advantages resulting from the radiation of far infrared light, such as antibacterial activity, deodorizing activity and heat generation.
Especially, with regard to the heat generation, serpentine is used as an adiabatic construction material to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
Additionally, serpentine can shield water pulse waves, which are known to be generated from subterranean water streams and penetrate through several stories of concrete buildings, negatively affecting persons on the path thereof.
The present invention pertains to the use of serpentine in the construction field. Useful in the present invention is the serpentine which has a particle size of about 10 mm or less and preferably a particle size of about 5 mm or less. That is, serpentine is crushed to a size of about 10 mm and preferably into a size of about 5 mm or smaller before use.
Where the serpentine with a size larger than 10 mm is used as a construction finish material, it is difficult or takes a long period of time to make the walls or floors smooth because the surfaces are highly uneven.
Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a construction finish
composition comprising serpentine, other stony materials, and a binder.
According to the present invention, the serpentine powder is used at an amount of 25-90 % by weight based on the total weight of the construction finish composition and preferably at an amount of 40- 80 % by weight. For example, if the serpentine powder is used at an amount of less than 25 % by weight, the binder, which is a resinous material, becomes relatively abundant so that the finish composition is flammable. In addition, the construction finish composition having such a relatively abundant amount of the binder has a quite different texture from those which natural stone materials exhibit. On the other hand, if the serpentine powder is used at an amount of greater than 90 % by weight, the relative amount of the binder becomes so small as not to cohere the stony materials, resulting in a decrease in the strength of the constructed walls or floors.
Any stone, unless it is particularly unsuitable for use in combination with the serpentine, may be used in the present invention. Stones used for interior or exterior decoration and other ordinary stones, for examples, stones obtained at watersides may also be used. Examples of the stony materials useful in the present invention include calcspar, biotite, muscovite, sericite, violet jade, green jade, white jade, black
jade, precious serpentine, and elvan. The amount of the stones may vary in a wide range, depending on their kinds, colors and properties and preferably, falls within the range of 5-70 % by weight based on the total weight of the construction finish composition. The quantity of the stony material is limited for the same reason as with the serpentine above. For use, the stones are preferably finely crushed.
According to the present invention, the binder is preferably used at an amount of 5-35 % by weight based on the total weight of the construction finish material.
Less than 5 % by weight of the binder cannot cohere the serpentine pieces and the stony material pieces and firmly adhere the construction finish units to walls or floors. On the other hand, when the binder is used at an amount greater than 35 % by weight, the divided serpentine pieces or the stony materials are used at proportionately reduced amounts, which makes it difficult to obtain the effect attributable to serpentine.
Examples of useful binders in the present invention, but not by way of limitation, include acrylic binder such as acrylic acid ester, silicon, melamine and polyamide resins.
Based on the weight ranges, the fine serpentine particles, the fine stone particles and the adhesive may be mixed in a weight ratio of 5: 3: 1,3: 2: 1,7: 4: 2, 6: 2: 1,5: 4: 2,4: 4: 3 or 3: 3: 1.
When it is desired, one or more pigments may be used to express colors. The amount of the pigment is determined depending on the color concentration to be expressed. Where pigment is added, the construction finish material is made attractive with the combination of the colors of the serpentine and the pigment being harmonized. Any pigment, if it provides colors for construction materials, can be used in the present invention. Examples of useful pigment, but not by way of limitation, include iron oxides and metal oxides containing copper or aluminum.
To prepare the construction finish composition, water is preferably mixed with the composition at an amount of 50-80 % by weight based on the weight of water and the binder when account is taken of the viscosity and economic benefit of the composition.
The details described above regarding the serpentine finish, for example, the particle size and amount of serpentine, kinds and amounts of the binder and the pigment, and amounts and kinds of the stony materials, and the mixing of them, are all true of the serpentine used for the construction of buildings and the preparation of bricks and panels.
As described above, the serpentine finish is useful as interior and exterior decorative material in constructing buildings.
Therefore, in another embodiment, the present
invention pertains to a construction method for decorating interiors and/or exteriors with the serpentine finish. For the finishing of interior or exterior surfaces of buildings, such as floors, walls, ceilings, etc., a composition comprising 25-90 % by weight of serpentine particles with a size of 10 mm or less, 5-70 % by weight of stone particles with a size of 10 mm or less, and 5-35 % by weight of a binder, and optionally pigment is applied thereto to a thickness of 5-10 mm. The serpentine finish thinner than 5 mm is not strong enough to endure external forces. On the other hand, if the serpent finish is thicker than 10 mm, it is economically unfavorable because of high material cost.
After completion of the application of the serpentine finish, polishing may improve the glossiness of the surface of the serpentine finish. The polishing of the serpentine finish may be achieved in a commonly used manner.
Furthermore, the serpentine finish may be coated with a resin after the finishing work. The resin coating can protect the serpentine finish from external damage and impact, adding improved texture sense to the serpentine finish. Non-limitative examples of the coating material useful to this end include acrylic acid ester, silicon, melamine and polyamide resins.
The application of the serpentine finish composition to buildings may be carried out in the same
manner as with cement. For example, as for floors of residential buildings, their construction is generally achieved by providing an adiabatic material onto a frame base, laying, for example, hot water pipes on the adiabatic material, filling foam concrete around the pipes, and plastering the base with a finish material.
At this time, the serpentine finish can be used as finish material. That is, after the filling of foam concrete, the serpentine finish is plastered onto the concrete to finish the floors of residential buildings.
For the finishing of walls, ceilings or exteriors of buildings, the serpentine finish is also plastered thereto after completion of framing.
To give an attractive appearance to the building, surfaces of the serpentine finish may be polished.
Furthermore, the surfaces of the serpentine finish may be transparently or semi-transparently coated with the resin described above.
Moreover, the serpentine finish composition may be additionally plastered onto the surface of conventional finish materials which have been already formed.
The serpentine finish composition of the present invention can be formed into construction units.
Therefore, in a further embodiment, the present invention pertains to molded construction units comprising the serpentine finish. The molded
construction unit comprises 25-90 % by weight of serpentine particles with a size of 10 mm or less, 5- 70 % by weight of stone particles with a size of 10 mm or less, and 5-35 % by weight of a binder, and optionally pigment.
The composition is mixed in an ordinary manner.
Then, the mixture is poured into a mold which is then subjected to vibration to avoid the formation of voids therein. After solidification, extruding may yield such a construction unit. The term"construction unit" as used herein means any molded form of the serpentine construction composition of the present invention, like bricks.
In addition, the serpentine finish composition of the present invention may be applied to ready-made construction units to give new construction materials.
Therefore, in a still further embodiment, the present invention pertains to an applied serpentine construction unit in which the serpentine finish composition is combined with a conventional construction unit. In this regard, a serpentine finish composition comprising 25-90 % by weight of serpentine particles with a size of 10 mm or less, 5-70 % by weight of stone particles with a size of 10 mm or less, and 5-35 % by weight of a binder, and optionally pigment is applied at a thickness of 3-30 mm to one
side of an interior or exterior finish, followed by coating a resin to the serpentine finish composition to give a panel. Preferably, the serpentine finish composition is applied to a thickness of 4-12 mm.
If the serpentine finish composition is formed at a thickness less than 3 mm, it is not strong enough to endure external impacts. On the other hand, a thickness greater than 30 mm makes it difficult to carry and set the panel owing to its great weight in addition to giving rise to an increase in production cost.
Examples of useful interior or exterior finish, but not by way of limitation, include gypsum boards, flame-retardant boards, waterproof boards, partition panels, base panels, slates, baumlite, sunlite, etc.
Brief descriptions of the drawings are as follows: Figs. 1 and 2 are partially expanded sectional views showing floors of residential buildings, which are finished with the serpentine finish of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a partially expanded sectional view showing an exterior wall of a building, which is finished with the serpentine finish of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a brick formed of the serpentine finish of the present
invention.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a panel which is formed by combining the serpentine finish of the present invention with a ready-made conventional finish.
Below, a detailed description will be given of the brick and panel prepared from the serpentine finish of the present invention and of a construction method using them, in conjunction with the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto and it should be understood that modifications thereof are within the scope of the present invention.
Serpentine finish materials were prepared as shown in Table 1, below.
TABLE 1 (UNIT:wt%) Serpentine Jade particle Particle (size 10 mm or Polyamide (size 10 mm or less) less Example 1 40 25 35 Example 2 55 15 30 Example 3 70 5 25 The serpentine finish material of Example 2 was used for the construction of a building and for the preparation of bricks and panels as follows.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, there are shown
interior floors of residential houses, which are finished with the serpentine finish of the present invention, in partially expanded cross sectional views.
The interior floor shown in Fig. 1 is constructed by providing an adiabatic layer 4 onto a frame base 2, laying hot water pipes 6 onto the adiabatic layer 4, filling concrete 8 around the hot water pipes 6, applying to the resulting structure a serpentine finish 14 comprising fine serpentine particles, fine stone particles, a binder and pigment.
For the construction of the frame base 2, concrete may be used. The adiabatic layer 4 may be Styrofoam. After being applied, the serpentine finish 14 may be polished to give an attractive surface. The surface where the serpentine finish is applied can have a texture similar to marble after being polished. The surface finished with the serpentine finish produces gorgeous and elegant surroundings without application of additional finish materials.
Another construction example using the serpentine finish of the present invention is shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, a frame base 2 is overlaid by an adiabatic material 4 on which hot water pipes 6 are laid. Around the hot water pipes 6 are filled foam concrete 8 which is then plastered with mortar 10.
Thereafter, a serpentine finish 14 is applied onto the mortar 10, optionally followed by polishing the serpentine finish 14. Further, after the application
with the serpentine finish 14, a resinous coating 12 may be provided with the aim of protecting the serpentine finish 14 from external damage or impact and improving texture thereof.
With reference to Fig. 3, an exterior wall of a building, which is finished with the serpentine finish of the present invention, is shown in a partially expanded cross sectional view.
As shown in Fig. 3, the finishing of the wall is achieved by plastering a frame base 20 with a serpentine finish 24. The frame base 20 is formed of masonry bricks or concrete and may be supplied with a heat insulating material such as gypsum board.
The finishing of the wall with the serpentine finish is also applicable to exterior walls as well as interior ceilings.
Where the serpentine finish is applied, jade green is expressed gently, giving a very graceful and elegant appearance.
The serpentine finish 14 and 24 is applied at a thickness of about 5-10 mm and may be mixed with at least one pigment to express a color. When pigment is used, the polishing of the surface finished with the serpentine finish produces an elegant appearance with the characteristic jade green and the pigment's color being combined properly.
Besides, the serpentine finish has the effect of
lowering the heat loss of the building by virtue of its radiation of a large flux of far infrared light. It is found that, when a building is finished with the serpentine finish, the quantity of the energy consumed by the building is reduced by 20-35 %. Where a floor is of Ondol type, heat is spread uniformly throughout the Ondol floors.
Turning now to Fig. 4, there is shown a brick prepared from the serpentine finish of the present invention, in a perspective view. The brick may be prepared by mixing the serpentine finish composition, pouring the construction mixture into a mold, vibrating the mold and subjecting the mixture to injection molding.
The molded construction units prepared from the serpentine finish may be molded into various forms, such as hexahedrons, lozenges, etc., to express various patterns when they are piled in a masonry manner. For instance, one of the molded construction units may be a hexahedral brick with a size of 230x110x70 mm.
Depending on the color to be expressed, pigment may be added to the serpentine unit.
In addition, the bricks molded from the serpentine finish of the present invention may be used for interior decoration, such as in partition walls or gardens.
The molded units prepared using the serpentine finish, such as bricks, produce highly elegant surroundings owing to the combination of characteristic colors of serpentine and pigment, giving a more gorgeous appearance than red bricks or marble.
Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown a panel utilizing the serpentine finish, in a perspective view.
The panel may be prepared by applying to an ordinary interior or exterior construction unit the serpentine finish mixed as in Example 2 and pressurizing the combined structure. Optionally, pigment may be added to express a desired color.
As seen in Fig. 5, a serpentine finish 34 is plastered onto one side of an interior or exterior construction unit 34, followed by pressing the combined structure to give a desired form. In this connection, the serpentine finish 34 is in a thickness range from 3 to 30 mm and preferably in a thickness range from 4 to 12 mm.
The resulting combined construction unit may be versatile in size, for example, may have sizes of 60x30 cm, 90x30 cm, 150x60 cm, 180x90 cm, etc.
The panels using the serpentine finish are applied to interior or exterior walls or ceilings, so that not only is a gorgeous appearance given thereto, but an improvement can be brought about in heating efficiency owing to the radiation of a great flux of far infrared light.
Below, the panel to which the serpentine finish is applied by pressing (hereinafter referred to as "functional serpentine panel") will be described for its various functions, including deodorization, antibacterial activity, far infrared radiation and water pulse wave-shielding activity.
Deodorization Test The functional serpentine panel was tested for deodorization ability against ammonia with a gas detector according to KFIA-FI-1004 (Korea Far Infrared light Association, Korea) and the results are given in Table 2, below.
TABLE 2 Ammonia Conc. on Time Ammonia Conc. on Deodorizatio Functional Serpentine (min) Veneer Board (ppm) n Effi. (%) Initial 500 500- 30 490 75 85 60 480 55 89 90 460 35 92 120 450 25 94 As apparent from data of Table 2, the functional serpentine panel can deodorize against ammonia very effectively.
AntibacterialActivity (1) According to ASTM G21, the serpentine finish
treated panel (functional serpentine panel) was tested for antibacterial activity. Test bacteria were mixture of Aspergillus niger ATCC 9642, Penicillium pinophilum ATCC 11797, and Chaetomium globosum ATCC 6205 and the results are given in Table 3, below.
TABLE 3 Culture Testing Time Period 1st week 2 week 3rd week 4th week 0 0 0 0
As seen in Table 3, a sterilized state was obtained from the first week of the testing.
(2) The functional serpentine panel was tested for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15422 and the results are given in Table 4, below.
TABLE 4 Initial Conc. after Cell Bacteria Panel Conc. 24 hr Reduction (CFU/d) (CFU/d) (%) Veneer board 219 590 Escherichia Functional 219 1 99.8 serpentine panel Veneer board 210 562- Pseudomonas Functional 210 1 99.8 serpentine board
The functional serpentine panel showed excellent antibacterial activity as seen in Table 4.
Far Infrared Spectral Emissivity With the aid of a spectroradiometer, the functional serpentine panel of the present invention was measured for spectral emissivity at 186 °C, 50 % HR, with respect to a black body, and the results are given in Table 5, below.
TABLE 5 Wavelength Spectral Wavelength Spectral (Mm) Emissivity (Mm) Emissivity 3.000 0. 915 8. 600 0.951 3.200 0. 906 8. 800 0.943 3.400 0. 901 9. 000 0.937 3.600 0. 911 9. 200 0.924 3.800 0. 917 9. 400 0.906 4. 0000. 9239. 6000. 882 4. 200 0. 926 9. 800 0. 859 4.4000. 92110. 0000.849 4.600 0. 929 10. 200 0.841 4.800 0. 956 10. 400 0.844 5.000 0. 947 10. 600 0.847 5.200 0. 932 10. 800 0.863 5.400 0. 926 11. 000 0.877 5.600 0. 928 11. 200 0.890 5.800 0. 933 11. 400 0.899 6.000 0. 926 11. 600 0.908 6.200 0. 925 11. 800 0. 6.400 0. 930 12. 000 0.919 6.600 0. 927 12. 200 0.922 6.800 0. 929 12. 400 0.925 7.000 0. 934 12. 600 0.925 7.200 0. 936 12. 800 0.928 7.400 0. 940 13. 000 0.921 7.600 0. 939 13. 200 0.928 7.800 0. 941 13. 400 0.926 8.000 0. 963 13. 600 0.929 8.200 0. 952 13. 800 0.930 8.400 0. 952 14. 000 0. 930
At a high temperature such as 186 °C, the functional serpentine panel of the present invention shows excellent spectral emissivity of the far infrared light ranging, in wavelength, from 3,000 to 14,000 Zm.
In addition, the functional serpentine panel was found to shield the progression of water pulse waves as measured by a pair of L rods.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described hereinbefore, the serpentine finish of the present invention, constructs finished with the same, and construction units employing the same, such as bricks and panels, enjoy the advantages attributable to the far infrared light radiation of serpentine, including energy consumption reduction, antibacterial activity, deodorization, and water pulse wave shielding, making a surrounding beneficial and pleasant to the human body. In addition to being flame resistant, they possess highly elegant and graceful appearance.
The present invention has been described in an
illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings.
Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.